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Why the Moro (Startle) Reflex Persists in Cerebral Palsy (CP)
A blog by Liz Whitely of Liz Whitely Counselling and Psychotherapy Understanding the Startle Reflex The startle reflex, which is also known as the Moro reflex, is a natural response that we often see in newborns. When a baby suddenly hears a loud noise or feels unexpected movement, they instinctively stretch out their arms…
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British Pediatric Neurology Association- Approaching Children's Tone Seminar
On Thursday 12 June and Friday 13 June, I attended a two-day Public Patient Involvement (PPI) called Approaching Children’s Tone. It was hosted by the British Paediatric Neurology Association (BPNA). I was invited as a professional with lived experience of children presenting with tone concerns and to contribute to this…
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Carers Week
A carer is a person of any age who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, friend or neighbour who is disabled, has an illness or long-term condition, or who needs extra help as they grow older. (Carers UK, 2025) I have cerebral palsy and epilepsy; my mum has a dementia diagnosis. Families like ours, rarely…
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Publication of Commissioning Framework for Children and Young People with Cerebral Palsy
After working with NHS England and other key stakeholders, the most important of which were families, Scope is very pleased to announce that the Commissioning Framework for Children and Young People with Cerebral Palsy was published at the start of May. The framework can be found here: NHS England » Commissioning framework…
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Join our special online event for Parents of Children with Cerebral Palsy 💚
You're Invited! 🤝 Connect with other parents 🧠 Meet our Cerebral Palsy Specialist, Lucy 💬 Share your story and let us know how we can support you 🗓 When: Thursday, 26 June 🕦 Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM 📍 Where: Zoom 🎟 Reserve your free ticket now on Eventbrite!
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Cerebral Palsy and Early Menopause Article
Cerebral Palsy and Early Menopause – Sara Edwards-Cerebral Palsy Specialist When it comes to women's health, many topics remain shrouded in silence, particularly for those living with disabilities. As someone with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, my journey through gynaecological health has been fraught with…
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CP Network and Cerebral Palsy Adult Advice UK. Wrexham Meeting
On Monday 12 May 2025, Scope's CP Network and CPAAUK held the first face to face gathering in Wrexham. It was great to meet those who attended. We had meaningful conversations about CP and life in general. Attendees enjoyed the session and left wanting to share news of the group with friends and colleagues in their…
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Mental Wellbeing and Disability
Mental Health & Disabilities Mental health is often left out of the disability conversation. Mental illness is the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting 264 million people. Mental health conditions are a common by-product of living with other forms of disability. Mental health should be a crucial part of…
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Do You Have Difficulty Having Sex Due to Tight Muscles?
No subject is off-limits for Sam at Inclusfit! This subject was brought up by a few of my PT clients. Those with spastic cerebral palsy have high spasticity in their muscles. This means we get tight muscles very quickly and this can also mean we get a lot of pain. This also limits our movement & what we can do. Those with…
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CP Network and Epilepsy Action Collaboration-Interview with Jan Paterson Epilepsy Action
As part of Cerebral Palsy Awareness month, we are discussing CP and co-existing conditions. Janet Paterson from Epilepsy Action Cymru is hosting an insightful presentation on March 12 2025, "Epilepsy-It's not one type of seizure." Please register at to attend this event. I recently interviewed Jan where we discussed her…
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Cerebral Palsy -social media advice page for young people
It's natural for teenagers and young adults to want to be part of a friendship group or community. Some find this networking activity an easy process, but for others it can be particularly difficult to find where they belong. Some young people with cerebral palsy can face challenges with building social networks. They…
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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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Our Next Welcome Café is Monday 14th of July 4:30pm until 5:30pm!
It was so good meeting everybody who could attend our first virtual chat! So good we're going to host another with our friends at CP Sport. If you would like to join us and say hi, Register Here If you have trouble registering for the Cafe, please email me at Richard.Luke@scope.org.uk We have now lowered the age range to…
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CP Network meets Matt Stabb
Lucy had the pleasure of interviewing CP network member Matt Stabb. He has written a book about living with Cerebral Palsy. Lucy: Hi Matt, thank you for speaking with us about your new book, Keep on Keeping on: Cerebral Palsy. It’s about your life living with Cerebral Palsy. As someone with CP myself, it was refreshing to…
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Craft
I'm currently crafting a blanket that is Netflix Witcher themed. I'm loving the process do far and it's good for my mental health and for my hands. Emily ❤️
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Cerebral Palsy and back pain
Watch Cerebral Palsy Research Network's Webinar about cerebral palsy and back pain. It is very informative and has some practical tools for prevention as well as what to do when you are experiencing back pain
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Looking to connect with other who have similar questions
Hello Scope community, I want to introduce myself. I am the mum of a 9 year old with CP. It's relatively mild (GMFCS 2) so he can do quite a bit, and is at a mainstream school. I face a number of issues from to time regarding his development, and wondered if I could connect with others who have similar questions or…
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AAC Support
Following on from our Network CP meeting in June, we wanted to provide some support for our AAC users. Lucy met Dominic, a 1Voice trustee at a networking event . She wanted to highlight the brilliant work they do. 1Voice is a volunteer, and user led organisation that supports adults, children, and their families who use…
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A Tribute to Jonathan Bryan
Jonathan Bryan was an extraordinary young man whose courage, creativity and unwavering spirit inspired everyone he met. Born with severe quadriplegic cerebral palsy, he defied every expectation placed upon him, refusing to be defined by labels or limitations eyecantalk.net+9goodnewspost.co.uk+9premiernexgen.com+9. From a…
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BBC Make a Difference Awards in Wales.
Community heroes from across Wales have been shortlisted for the BBC Cymru awards on 20 September 2025. You can read all the nominations by following the link BBC Make a Difference Awards One of the Young Hero Award nominations is Andrei Santau. Diagnosed with CP, Andrei took his first independent steps at the age of 10. A…
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Cerebral palsy and ableism: A peer-led research project
This research project supported by Cerebral Palsy Support Network (CPSN), Scope and Deakin University, seeks participants with lived experience of cerebral palsy in Australia and the U.K. Are you an adult with cerebral palsy? Have you experienced ableism? Ableism is a form of discrimination, like racism and sexism. It is…
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NHS Waiting list
Had a text confirming i was on list 22nd may but not heard anything else which isn't surprising but the link to check waiting time doesn't have my nhs trust on it (i live in Nottingham) Any advise?
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Experience of Tizanidine vs Baclofen
Background: When i was a child i used to take delicious sugary like raspberry but no raspberries in it bacolfen. Transitioned to boring tablets and then off everything but recently increasing stiffness. Did a brief search and obviously increasing physical activity is a must (got appointment next week), but does any have…
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Out Of My Mind’ Star Phoebe-Rae Taylor & Director Amber Sealey On Championing Disability Stories
The Disney+ original movie Out of My Mind, based on the novel of the same name by Sharon M. Draper, follows preteen Melody Brooks (Phoebe-Rae Taylor), a girl with cerebral palsy. Melody has a sharp mind, but due to her being non-verbal and using a wheelchair, she is not given the same academic opportunities as her…
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Join us to discuss chronic lower back pain in adults with cerebral palsy
Last week, the MyCP Webinar featured Julie Stutzbach, PT, PhD and Mary Gannotti, PT, PhD, speaking about new research on chronic lower back pain in adults with CP and strategies to improve care through shared understanding of the nature of pain, communication about pain, and advocacy for treatment. Dr. Julie Stutzbach,…
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Parallel Windsor Event
ParalympicsGB has 100 free entries available for challenge events at Parallel Windsor, taking place in the beautiful Windsor Great Park on Sunday 6th July. Participants can walk, push, or run alongside Paralympic athletes and choose from a range of distances—100m, 1K, 5K, 10K, or the unique SuperSensory 1K. There are no…
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British Ice Skating's Let's Skate Project
British Ice Skating's Let's Skate project, launched in 2024 aims to grow the opportunities for disabled people to participate in ice skating. A number of ice rinks and clubs have signed up to the Let's Skate project to deliver new inclusive ice skating sessions. Watch this space as CP Sport are teaming up with British Ice…
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Para Ice Hockey - Sheffield
📣 CALLING ALL FUTURE STEELKINGS 📣 We're always on the lookout for the next Steelkings players to join our growing family! And that could mean you! 😊 On the 20th June, we are running an introduction to para ice hockey for those people who are interested in getting involved in the coolest team sport going! We're particularly…
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New Rules for Using mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs
OverviewMobility scooters and powered wheelchairs are single-seat vehicles with a battery. They’re designed to help if you have trouble walking. Who can use mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs You can only drive a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair if one of the following applies: you have trouble walking because…
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Thinking about buying a reborn doll
For years I've always wanted to be a mum and it's getting to me now. Even when I was at school everyone had infant reallife simulator and I never had one. Now it seems that feeling is getting even harder to bare even more than finding a boyfriend. @pooleemily29
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PIP isn't a luxury. It allows me to work and contribute to society
As the government proposes changes to disability benefits like PIP, writer Jennifer McShane, 37, shares how cuts could impact her life with Cerebral Palsy I use my PIP payment to live and work, I'm terrified of the DWP taking it away
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Expansion of CP Network in North Wales
Hi everyone. The CP Network and Cerebral Palsy Adult Advice UK group, are looking at expanding our network meet ups in the North Wales area, allowing more people the opportunity to attend sessions. Please could members in North Wales state which area they live in the comments below. We can then pinpoint suitable locations.…
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Carmarthenshire CP Network
Good afternoon. After the success of our joint Scope and Cerebral Palsy Adult Advice UK Wrexham meet up, I'm working with a small group of people to create a Carmarthenshire CP group. Are there any members local to Carmarthenshire who would be interested in being part of this network? Please comment below or reach out to…
