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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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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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Cerebral Palsy and the maternity journey. Voices from women in the UK
Choices and Support on the Maternity Journey in the UK: Voices from Women with Cerebral Palsy The number of disabled women, including those with cerebral palsy (CP), experiencing pregnancy and motherhood globally is increasing. This could be attributed to equality legislation, medical advancements (including assistive…
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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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We’re looking for disabled young people to speak to Journalists
We’re looking for disabled young people who might be open to speaking to journalists ahead of the release of the Milburn review in spring 2026 (likely between March and May). The review is an independent investigation into the rise in youth economic inactivity. We’re hoping to identify someone who: is a disabled young…
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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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Interview with Pat Herring: Five Decades of Advocacy and Community
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month is also a time to recognise the supporters and advocates who stand alongside the CP community. I recently had the privilege of spending time with Pat Herring — an advocate, campaigner, parent of an adult living with CP, and long-standing member of the CP Network who has been involved with…
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Listen to Our Sara on the Palsy Podcast!
@SaraC_Scope joins Ciaran Fitzgerald for episode 4 of The Palsy Podcast. Sara is a CP specialist for the charity Scope, and talks about her experiences growing up, forming relationships and starting a family. Sara has started the Wales Cerebral Palsy Network and is keen for people with CP across Wales to get involved.…
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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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It's Cerebral Palsy (CP) Awareness Month! Some people to read or listen to
March is here, and with it comes Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month 2026 — a time to celebrate our community, amplify lived experience, challenge assumptions, and show the world just how diverse, creative and powerful the CP community really is. Cerebral palsy isn’t one story. It’s millions of stories. Different bodies.…
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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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Samantha Maxwell-Author and Chair of Wrexham Accessibility Project
Samantha Maxwell-Interview with Sara Edwards, Cerebral Palsy Specialist. Samantha Maxwell from Wrexham has cerebral palsy and is the author of CP Isn’t Me and Disabling Ableism. Samantha's third book, Silenced, was published in September 2025. It takes a deeper look into the relationship between disability and mental…
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Growing up with cerebral palsy. Then, Now and What comes next. Podcast.
I was recently invited to speak on the Brain Injury Group's podcast series. Growing Minds. It was a privilege to be asked and share my lived experience of cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Here is the link to the conversation. Growing Minds Cerebral Palsy Conversation
