Celebrating Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month!
CP Awareness month is every March. It is a time dedicated to sharing knowledge about cerebral palsy, advocating for those with CP. It’s also a time for celebrating the strength and determination of the CP community. Cerebral palsy awareness is crucial for many reasons:
- pushing for more research
- improving accessibility
- promoting inclusion
- ensuring that individuals with CP receive the support they need
- celebrating the accomplishments of people with CP
In our case, we focus on the kiddos in our community when shining a light on accomplishments.
The History of CP Awareness Month
CP Awareness Month was initially established to increase public awareness and understanding of cerebral palsy, the most common childhood motor disability. It was established in 2006 by the Cerebral Palsy Advocacy Group. With approximately 17 million people worldwide living with CP, advocacy plays a vital role in shaping policies, which impacts resources.
During CP Awareness Month, focusing on early diagnosis, therapies, and advancements in assistive technologies is important. They are all aimed at improving the quality of life for those with CP. The color green is the symbolic color for cerebral palsy awareness. Green represents renewal, and hope for the future.
Facts About Cerebral Palsy
- CP is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain, affecting movement, muscle tone, and posture.
- Many individuals with CP also experience co-occurring conditions, such as epilepsy, vision or hearing impairments, and speech difficulties.
- There are different types of CP, including spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, and mixed types.
- CP is a lifelong condition. Early intervention, therapy, and assistive devices can significantly improve mobility and independence.
- Cerebral palsy is considered a non-progressive disorder, meaning the brain injury doesn’t worsen over time. However, symptoms and challenges may change as a person grows.
How Trexo Robotics Supports the CP Community
We are committed to advancing mobility solutions for children with cerebral palsy (along with various other injuries/diagnoses). Our robotic walking device empowers kiddos by providing a way to experience upright movement, and repetitive over-ground walking practice. Both of which are key components in neuroplasticity and motor function improvement.
For children with CP, walking with Trexo can lead to the standard benefits of walking. Those benefits are improved endurance, muscle strength, and bone health. Families who use Trexo have reported increased engagement, better posture, and even enhanced social interactions. Trexo allows kiddos to actively participate in activities with their peers and family members
This CP Awareness Month we must continue advocating. The community needs greater inclusivity, accessibility, and advancements that enhance the lives of those with cerebral palsy. Do what you can! Whether it is through raising awareness, sharing stories, or advocating for accessibility, it all makes a difference. At Trexo, we are proud to be part of this journey. Helping kiddos take steps toward a brighter future.
Alex – A Woman Not Defined by CP
Alex Mertens, a Trexo user in our community, her mom Carol and sister Katie are big supporters of Trexo. They attended a conference with us so Alex could share her experience. They came to celebrate at our 100M Step party. Most recently they were guests on our podcast. You don’t want to miss this episode.
On the podcast, learn how Katie, Alex’s sister, had her own experience with Trexo and hear how she feels about being part of the disability community through her sister. Alex and Katie are two of the triplets, the 3rd sister is currently in New Zealand. Carol, mom of the 3 girls, shares her thoughts as well. I could talk endlessly about both of these women who are kind, smart, motivated and making a difference in this world. Today though, I want to talk more about Alex.
In the podcast, you will learn her motto – it is inspiring. Every day she lives by her motto. Alex sets her sights on something and she goes for it. She needs some support to help with the physical aspects of her disability, but she doesn’t let it stop her or define her. Alex is taking Kinesiology, and she is working with a doctor that does research in Alberta. She started a Trexo walking group, as far as we know, the first one. She decided she wanted to participate in the Kin Games and made it happen. She got inspired to write a song, and sang it to share with the world (this you can’t miss, you can hear it here). Visit the podcast page for links to Alex’s site and social media to keep up with all that she does.
My niece came to our 100M Step party, to learn more about what I do and celebrate with us. Alex was a guest at the event, but we also invited her to speak and perform her song for all of our guests. While Alex spoke, I caught my niece’s eye – as it filled with tears. You could see the emotion on her face. When I spoke with her after, she said how moved she was. She also related to Alex since they are both taking Kinesiology. She chatted with Alex about school and excitedly followed her on social media.
That story is the best way to describe Alex and what she does. She lives her life to the fullest, in a way many of us don’t – and she is an inspiration.
We have many kiddos with CP that are smashing their goals and over time we want to shine a light on all of them.
Join us in celebrating cerebral palsy awareness. Share your stories, wear green, and help us spread the word! 💚
– Jenn
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