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It is Disability Pride Month 2026!
It is Disability Pride Month. Disability Pride Month is about recognising disabled people as a community with our own history, identity and rights. It is not about pretending disability is always easy or asking people to celebrate pain or exclusion. It is about rejecting shame, challenging ableism, and making sure disabled…
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Research opportunity: we need your help
We’ve been contacted by a postgraduate researcher seeking to hear from people with cerebral palsy who have studied at university. If this is you, or someone you know (in the UK or US), they would love to hear about your experiences. This will help shape their dissertation. Taking part is voluntary, and you can share as…
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Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month "Embracing Identity Through Laughter" Rhys Thorne
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Welsh comedian Rhys Thorne, whose fresh voice, quick wit and lived experience bring something truly special to the comedy scene. Our conversation explored the intersections of cerebral palsy, LGBTQ+ identity, creativity, and personal resilience. And how humour becomes a powerful…
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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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Research participants request
Hi, I’m Jess. I’m a nurse and a Master’s student at King’s College London. I am looking for adults with cerebral palsy to share their experiences of pain in hospital. Who can take part: Adults aged 18 and over with cerebral palsy People who have stayed on a hospital ward in the last 10 years You only need to share what you…
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🚨 RESEARCH 🚨Were you born early (before 37 weeks) in the UK?
Are you 18 or older? If yes, you can take part. This study is about how people born early think about their health over time. This includes everyday life, who you are, the support you have had, the support you did not have, and support that might have helped. Everyone’s experience is different. Your experience is…
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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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Leeds meet up feedback
Hi everyone We currently run an in‑person cerebral palsy group at the Leeds Hub on Mondays. We want as many of our community in and around Leeds to attend as possible. We would love to hear what you want and need from a cerebral palsy group. Please comment or message us to tell us: • What kind of support would you want…
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Autism Acceptance Month and Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy and Autism: Coexistence. Bridging the gap between two seemingly disparate neurological conditions, researchers unravel the enigmatic dance of autism and cerebral palsy within the human brain. These two conditions, while distinct in their primary characteristics, often intersect in ways that challenge our…
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The Palsy Podcast 2026
What a month! The Palsy Podcast Project is now complete. Thanks to everyone who took part. You can still listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch on YouTube! Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/.../the-palsy.../id1881241822 Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/2I3mFYLGsA0kMKjM0SnkKR...…
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The Palsy Podcast with Ciaran Fitzgerald
I am joined on episode 27 of The Palsy Podcast by Richard Luke. Richard is Scope's Cerebral Palsy Specialist. Richard talks about his experience growing up with CP, forming relationships and starting a family. Richard talks about his experience in becoming a dad and the internalised ableism he felt. Richard is the…
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Naidex,community,and the joy of not pretending you can do everything the hardway
There is something about Naidex that feels a bit like stepping into a very specific kind of family gathering. Not the stressful kind with overcooked buffet food and one relative asking inappropriate questions. The good kind. The kind where people just get it. Where nobody blinks at a wheelchair, a walking aid, adapted…
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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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Help Shape New Technology for Children with Cerebral Palsy 🌟
We are looking for children with Cerebral Palsy, and their parents, to take part in a PhD research project. Your experiences will help us design better technology to support children with CP. What You Will Do You and your child will join creative online sessions. These sessions are relaxed and activity‑based. You will be…
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NHS 10 Year Plan
🟢 Help Shape the Future of Neurological Care We know that cerebral palsy isn’t just a childhood condition – it affects people right across their lives. That’s why it’s so important that your voice is heard as the NHS develops its new 10-year plan for health and care. NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence)…
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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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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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The power of listening to lived experience
The Cerebral Palsy Network was invited to a World Café event at the University of Sheffield. The project looked at how to improve access to cervical screening for disabled people. It focused on the barriers that disabled women and other disabled people face. I was proud to represent the Network. I listened to people with…
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Hi, my name is kbee! 17 month old baby may have CP
I have a 17 month (15 month adjusted) prem baby boy who is likely to have CP and going through the motions of physio and OT and hoping so much that we have minimal impact on his abilities to move independently but only just sitting and rolling : (
