What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy (CP) refers to a group of disorders that affect muscle movement and coordination. In many cases, cerebral palsy also affects vision, hearing, and sensation. The word “cerebral” means having to do with the brain. The word “palsy” means weakness or problems with body movement.

Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of motor disabilities in childhood. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it affects 1 to 4 out of every 1,000 childrenTrusted Source worldwide

The Symptoms

The symptoms of cerebral palsy vary from person to person and range from mild to severe. Some people with cerebral palsy may have difficulty walking and sitting. Other people with cerebral palsy can have trouble grasping objects

The effects of the condition can become more or less obvious or limiting as a child grows and develops motor skills. They also vary depending on the part of the brain that was affected. Some of the more common symptoms include:

• delays in reaching motor skill milestones, such as rolling over, sitting up alone, or crawling

• difficulty walking

• variations in muscle tone, such as being too floppy or too stiff

• spasticity, or stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes

• ataxia, or a lack of muscle coordination

• tremors or involuntary movements

• delays in speech development and difficulty speaking

• excessive drooling and problems with swallowing

• favoring one side of the body, such as reaching with one hand

• neurological issues, such as seizures, intellectual disabilities, and blindness

Causes of cerebral palsy

In most cases, the exact cause of cerebral palsy is unknown. Atypical brain development or injury to the developing brain can cause cerebral palsy. The damage affects the part of the brain that controls body movement, coordination, and posture

This brain damage usually occurs before birth, but it can also happen during birth or the first years of life

Other possible causes include:

• head injuries as a result of a car accident, fall, or child abuse

• intracranial hemorrhage, or bleeding into the brain

• brain infections, such as encephalitis and meningitis

• infections acquired in the womb, such as German measles (rubella) and herpes simplex

• asphyxia neonatorum, or a lack of oxygen to the brain during labor and delivery

• gene mutations that result in atypical brain development

• severe jaundice in the infant

Long-term outlook for people with cerebral palsy

There’s no cure for cerebral palsy, but some of the effects can often be managed and many complications can be prevented or delayed. The specific type of treatment varies from person to person. Some people with cerebral palsy may not need very much assistance, while others might need extensive, long-term care for their symptoms

Regardless of the severity of the condition, treatment can improve the lives of those with cerebral palsy by helping them enhance their motor skills and ability to communicate

Sources: Eblity.com and Healthline.com

Tobiloba Ajayi has over 12 years of experience working with various organizations in the Disability Management sector in different countries. She holds a degree in Law and also bagged a Masters's Degree in International Law from the University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2008. Tobiloba has cerebral palsy

She started by working on Disability Policy as a member of the Nigerian Vision 2020; policy drafting team, and went on to work with various NGOs in a quest to improve the lives of persons with disabilities.

In March 2017, she launched The Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation to promote inclusive mainstream education for children with Cerebral Palsy in Nigeria. This was born out of a realization in 2016 during her Mandela Washington Fellowship, Professional Development Experience that children with Cerebral Palsy were being excluded from mainstream education by the school system in Nigeria. To date, the Foundation has provided support to 450+ children and their families and enabled 95+ of these children to access inclusive education. Each family accesses continuous counseling, referrals, school placement supports and school readiness assessments. The project has also trained over 500 teachers in its bid to address the knowledge and skills gap of mainstream classroom teachers to engage children with Cerebral Palsy in their classrooms

By www.nairametrics.com

Africa is a continent that is home to some of the most dynamic and innovative entrepreneurs in the world. With a growing tech industry, more and more African entrepreneurs are making their mark in the global market. In this article, we will take a closer look at the top 7 African leaders in the tech business

Strive Masiyiwa

Strive Masiyiwa is a Zimbabwean businessman and entrepreneur who is considered one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Africa. He is the founder and executive chairman of Econet Wireless, a telecommunications company that operates in several African countries. Masiyiwa is also the founder of Kwese TV, a Pan-African television network that offers sports, entertainment, and news content.

Masiyiwa is known for his philanthropic work, particularly in education and healthcare. He is the founder of the Higherlife Foundation, which provides scholarships to underprivileged children in Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Burundi. Masiyiwa is also a member of the Giving Pledge, a philanthropic initiative started by Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. He is the only African member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Committee on Conscience

Ashish Thakkar

Ashish Thakkar is a Ugandan-born entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of Mara Group, a conglomerate that operates in several industries, including technology, real estate, and manufacturing. Thakkar is also the founder of Mara Foundation, a nonprofit organisation that provides entrepreneurship training and mentorship to young people in Africa. Mara Group’s operations and investments span 22 African countries He is the author of “The Lion Awakes: Adventures in Africa’s Economic Miracle”.