World Cerebral Palsy Day is observed on October 6 every year. This year, ‘The Hitavada’ explores the disease from the perspective of parents. Everyday life for families of children with Cerebral Palsy moves to a rhythm that is slower, deliberate, and filled with persistence. For Sandhya and Hemant Ulhe, that rhythm began when their son was one-and-a-half years old, when a diagnosis turned uncertainty into a long path of learning. “We had an idea early because he underwent surgery soon after birth,” recalls Sandhya. Therapy began at the age of four, and their home soon became an extension of the physiotherapy room, a space for exercises and routines.

 

“He has improved in speech and understanding with consistent guidance from his physician,” she says. The Ulhe family acknowledge that early therapy was available, yet access to long-term rehabilitation and inclusive spaces remains limited. They recall a registration camp at Government Medical College, where specially-abled children were issued identity cards and later included in the home voting facility. “Such initiatives make a difference, but everyday accessibility, in public transport or infrastructure, still needs serious attention,” says Hemant. Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a lifelong neurological condition caused by injury to the developing brain before, during, or after birth. It affects movement, posture, and coordination, but it does not worsen with age. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics estimates that cerebral palsy affects 2 to 3 children per 1,000 live births in India.

 

Causes include maternal infections, nutritional deficiencies, complications during delivery, lack of oxygen at birth, or neonatal infections such as meningitis and jaundice. Viraj Shingade, Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon and Director at Children Orthopaedic Care Institute, Pravira Hospital, emphasises the importance of coordinated care. “Cerebral Palsy requires structured management involving paediatric neurologists, orthopaedic surgeons, rehabilitation specialists, psychologists, and social workers. With early and sustained therapy, many children with normal intelligence can integrate into mainstream education and lead independent lives,” he says. Avinash Gawande, Medical Superintendent at Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur, notes that symptoms vary depending on the type and extent of brain injury. “Parents may observe delays in sitting or walking, stiffness in limbs, or involuntary movements. Some children also face speech difficulties or seizures,” he says.

 

MRI scans assist in diagnosis, while physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy form the core of treatment. Surgery and assistive devices are introduced when needed to improve mobility and functional independence. Across the world, awareness efforts aim to build more inclusive societies. In Switzerland, for instance, public transport and museums were made free and accessible for differently-abled citizens during Cerebral Palsy awareness events. Experts in India suggest that similar measures, along with stronger rehabilitation infrastructure and public sensitisation, can improve the long-term wellbeing of individuals with Cerebral Palsy.