Cerebral Palsy Network
Connect with people affected by cerebral palsy, share experiences, ask questions of our Cerebral Palsy experts and discuss the issues that matter most to your community.
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Have you heard of EDACS?
EDACS: a shared way to talk about eating and drinking When talking about nutrition, it helps to understand what eating and drinking are like for each person. Between 2023 and 2025, Scope worked with NHS colleagues in Sussex to help share information about EDACS, a system used internationally to describe eating and drinking…
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Cerebral palsy and nutrition: finding what works for your family
Every child and young person with cerebral palsy (CP) has individual nutrition needs. Advice that works for one family may need adapting for another. Both the amount of nutrition someone receives and the nutrients it provides matter. Having CP does not automatically mean someone needs extra calories. A dietitian can help…
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"If you see it, you can believe it"
Jacqueline Stephens is a businesswoman and keynote speaker. Cerebral Palsy Specialist Lucy caught up with her. They spoke ahead of her Black History Month T-shirt collection. Representation matters. It can help to see people who look like us. It can also help to see people who share our experiences. When we see what others…
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Bonfire Night prep: cerebral palsy style
Bonfire Night prep: cerebral palsy style Startle reflex is common for people living with cerebral palsy. Yet some people may not know they have it. I made a video on our Instagram about what startle reflex is and what can help
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Nourishing families with cerebral palsy
Join Nutricia and Scope for a welcoming event for parents and carers of children with cerebral palsy and young people with cerebral palsy. Nourishing families with cerebral palsy Celebrating family life, food and connection 📅 12 November 2026 🕒 10:30 am - 12:45 📍 Leeds Hub and online Join Nutricia and Scope for a welcoming…
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The benefits of owning a dog while living with cerebral palsy
Having cerebral palsy means I have always had to be aware of my body — my energy, movement, fatigue, pain and the things I need to make everyday life work well. Some days are more physically and emotionally challenging than others. One of the brightest and most comforting parts of my life is my dog, Willow. She is a…
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Support Formal UN Recognition of World Cerebral Palsy Day
50 million people live with cerebral palsy worldwide. Their voices and priorities deserve a place on the global agenda. World Cerebral Palsy Day brings together more than 187 partner organisations and reaches millions of people each year. Yet 6 October is still not formally recognised by the United Nations. It’s time to…
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The change I want to see: understand our fatigue
I know I am (slightly) late to the party with this one. But, happy belated World Cerebral Palsy Day for yesterday. This year's theme is the change I want to see. So here's mine: A simple ask for World CP Day: When we say we are tired, as a non-disabled person, please do not respond with "I am tired too". It might seem…
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World Cerebral Palsy Day: what’s one thing you would change?
Hi everyone, World Cerebral Palsy Day is on 6 October. This year’s campaign invites people to share the change they want to see, starting with the words “My change is…” We’d love to hear what that means to you. Your change might be better access to support as an adult, somewhere accessible to spend time with friends, or…
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Understanding and Managing the Emotional Impact of Cerebral Palsy
It is Mental Health Awareness Week. So I wanted to talk about the emotional impact of living with cerebral palsy. Living with cerebral palsy can affect much more than movement. For some adults, it can also have an impact on emotional well-being, confidence, relationships, work, independence and social life. This does not…
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Mental health difficulties in cerebral palsy A qualitative study of young people
Study undertaken by: Manjula Manikandan, Jennifer Fortune, Jessica Burke, Aisling Walsh, Aoife Twohig, Ian McClelland, Amanda Breen, Meriel Norris, Jennifer M. Ryan, RELATE-CP study team This study emphasises the urgent need for integrated, person-centred mental health services for young people with CP. Addressing these…
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Cerebral Palsy Is Lifelong — Services Must Be Too
Cerebral palsy does not disappear at 18. Yet adult services for people with CP are often fragmented, inconsistent, or difficult to access. Adults with CP are: • navigating employment and career progression • managing fatigue, pain and secondary conditions • experiencing ageing with a lifelong neurological condition •…
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Startle Reflex and Cerebral Palsy (CP)
As we approach Cerebral Palsy Month, I thought I would spotlight a question that I get asked in my role as cerebral palsy Programme lead for Scope. The question about the startle reflex is a really good (and very common) question. Outside of the cerebral palsy world, it’s one that often gets under-recognised outside of…
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Assistive Equipment & Bespoke Solutions - Sharing Sources of Support
Able2Wear Wheelchair Clothing – Able2wear supplies specialised wheelchair clothing and accessories and have a unique collection of garments that ranges from waterproofs to underwear. They can also make something unique to suit your needs. Allied Mobility – Allied Mobility is the leading wheelchair accessible vehicles…
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Bus Network Accessibility Plan
The West Midlands Combined Authority is developing a new Bus Network Accessibility Plan. It is seeking feedback from disabled people and those with lived experience of accessibility barriers when travelling by bus. Accessibility on the Move: Community Workshop Date: 4 November 2026Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (doors open at…
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How many people when suffer with Cerebral Palsy feel when get told calm down
This discussion was created from comments split from: feeling upset.
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feeling upset
My name is Barry [removed by moderator - personal information] I am 47 years old with Cerebral Palsy. Down to me having this I am in a Power Chair and I speak with a communication aide, what people can’t understand what I am saying to them, so I typing it into my speaking aide then I press the speech butter, when I am…
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Parent/Caregiver Speaker Opportunity with Scope and Nutricia
Things We Wish We'd Known Earlier: One Family's Journey We're looking for a parent or caregiver of a child with cerebral palsy to share their experience of feeding, eating, drinking and nutrition. In a 20-minute session, on Thursday the 12th of November, either in person at the Scope Leeds Community Hub or you can join us…
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England win cerebral palsy World Cup for first time
England have won the Cerebral Palsy World Cup for the first time by beating the United States 2-1 in a thrilling final. The hosts took the lead in Atlanta from a corner with three minutes left, but Sam Dewhirst equalised to take the tie to extra time. And the Para Lions won it when David Porcher fired home after Dewhirst's…
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Exciting Event Coming Soon! In-Person and Online
Watch this space…..
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what I think about having CP
My mind works but my body is ****
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What Makes a Good Day Centre?
Larkspur Care has contacted the Cerebral Palsy Network. Larkspur have opened a specialised adult centre. They have deliberately sought to reach people across a wide geographical area because they want to hear a broad range of experiences, perspectives and ideas. Larkspur Care would like your input on the following…
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Come to our CP Sport National Athletics event and give athletics a try!
CP Sport athletes are invited to join the weekly Birmingham Athletics Academy session, where they'll have the opportunity to take part in a range of running, jumping and throwing activities. Led by experienced England Athletics coaches, the sessions are designed to be inclusive and welcoming. Coaches have experience…
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Disability campaigners Highlight Access to Work Backlog
Disability campaigners have called on the UK Government to do more to cut the backlog for its Access to Work scheme. You can watch the report from ITV News here.
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Oldest person with CP?
We have been asked: "I
have had Cerebral Palsy since Birth. I am now 78 Years old and will be 79 in
July. Could you tell me if I am the oldest person with thus condition. If not
can you tell me the age of the longest living survivor of this condition?" I think the oldest person we interviewed for
Speaking for Ourselves was…
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The Great British Bake Off – Casting Call
Sharing on behalf of Love Productions: The Great British Bake Off – Casting Call: Are you, or someone you know, a star baker in the making? The Great British Bake Off is currently looking for a fresh batch of bakers to take part in the next series, and we want to hear from you. We want the famous white tent to be an…
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Remembering RJ Mitte
Like many people, I was shocked to hear the sad news that RJ Mitte died last night. I am going to write a more in-depth blog about the important work he did for our community. But here is a video that I turned to when I heard of his death A huge loss for the cerebral palsy community. If you are struggling, please speak to…
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Frustration getting on the housing ladder as someone with CP
Hello! First post, so apologies in advance if there's some kind of forum etiquette! Was made aware of this forum by speaking with an adviser today. This post is mostly just going to be me venting and asking for advice from anyone who has gone through the same process. I'm a 30, soon-to-be 31 year old who is trying to buy…
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World Cerebral Palsy Day Poem
I am posting this on behalf of a Cerebral Palsy Network member World Cerebral Palsy Day is a powerful reminder of the strength, resilience, and brilliance within our community. Today, we stand together as one voice to celebrate every barrier broken, every triumph achieved, and every story shared. We are not defined by…
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World CP Day. The change we want to see for cerebral palsy.
This year, for World Cerebral Palsy Day, we are being asked to answer one question: THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE FOR CEREBRAL PALSY. We need a deeper, more compassionate understanding of the hidden realities of living with cerebral palsy. For many of us, cerebral palsy is only one part of the picture. Co-existing conditions…
