Cerebral Palsy Resource for Parents
There are many associations working to assist people with cerebral palsy. All aspects of the disorder are represented. This is a partial association list, many more associations can be found through by conducting an internet search with the words: cerebral palsy association.
American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM):
AACPDM is a scientific association with a multidisciplinary membership. It studies cerebral palsy from all angles and combines research and information about the disorder form many different areas of medicine. The association works to promote professional education for the treatment and management of cerebral palsy and to increase quality of life for cerebral palsy sufferers. Initially the society only focused on cerebral palsy but now researches other childhood onset disabilities dealing with neuromuscular disease and traumatic brain injury. The association was founded in 1947 by six members including: an orthopedic surgeon, two pediatricians, a neurosurgeon, a neurologist and a physiatrist. The members realized a diversity of medical fields were required if cerebral palsy was going to be appropriately researched. By understanding the necessity for an interchange of ideas and experiences among all those providing care for patients with cerebral palsy they greatly increased known cerebral palsy research.
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP):
UPC was the first major cerebral palsy association. It is a national organization with 114 affiliates in the United States and many abroad as well. The association is 55 years old and is one of the largest health charities in the U.S. Their goal is to work for the inclusion of people with cerebral palsy in every facet of society; work, education and the community. UPC works to advance the productivity, independence and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy by teaching the principles of independence, inclusion and self-determination. The association was the reason cerebral palsy became a nationally known disorder. They started the first telethon for cerebral palsy and have been instrumental in advancing cerebral palsy research and education.
Cerebral Palsy: Hope Through Research:
Much of the work done at this association is supported through the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, other agencies within the Federal Government. It is multidisciplinary association where medical professional combine their research to solve unanswered question s about cerebral palsy. The association works on treatments, diagnosis and prevention of cerebral palsy.
Children's Neurobiological Solutions, Inc. (CNS):
CNS is a national, non-profit association working on research about repairing brain damage. Additionally a association collaborates to create more effective treatments and therapies for children with neurodevelopment abnormalities like cerebral palsy. They also investigate how to prevent birth injuries to the nervous system, and related neurological problems connected to brain damage. By using the recent advances in biomedicine, developmental neurobiology, stem cell research and genetics, the association works toward discovering brain repair therapies enhancing mobility, cognition and increases in quality of life for children with cerebral palsy.
Scope:
Scope is an association in England that works towards equality for people with cerebral palsy. Scope researches issues affecting people with cerebral palsy and organizes campaigns about issues like special educational needs and civil rights. The association's goal is to educate others about the rights of people with cerebral palsy to achieve equality in a society where they are valued and have the same human and civil rights as everyone else. They focus on areas where disabled people face the greatest inequality: as children, in education, at their place of employment and in daily living.
United States Cerebral Palsy Athletic Association (USCPAA):
This association is the national governing body for competitive sports for individuals with cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries and survivors of strokes. USCPAA was formed in 1987 and is responsible for conduct, administration and promotion of approved disabled sports in the United States. The association makes the rules, implements policies and procedures, conducts disabled sporting events, educates people about safety and sports medicine and selects athletes to represent the United States in international competitions.
Contact Information for Cerebral Palsy Associations
American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM)
6300 North River Road
Suite 727
Rosemont, IL 60018-4226
(847) 698-1635
Fax: (847) 823-0536
E-mail: woppenhe@ucla.edu
Website: http://aacpdm.org/
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)
1660 L St., NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036-5603
(800) USA-5-UCP or (202) 776-0406
TTY: (202) 973-7197
Fax: (202) 776-0414
E-mail: ucpnatl@ucpa.org
Website: http://www.ucpa.org/
Independent Living Research Utilization Project (ILRU) The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research
2323 South Sheppard, Suite 1000
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 520-0232; (713) 520-5136 (TT)
E-mail: ilru@bcm.tmc.edu
Web address: http://www.bcm.tmc.edu/ilru
National Easter Seal Society, Inc.
230 West Monroe Street, Suite 1800
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 726-6200; (312) 726-4258 (TT)
(800) 221-6827
E-mail: nessinfo@seals.com
Web address: http://www.seals.com
National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC)
8455 Colesville Road
Suite 935
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3319
(301) 588-9284 beg (TT/Voice); (800) 346-2742
Epilepsy Foundation
4351 Garden City Drive
Suite 500
Landover, MD 20785-7223
postmaster@efa.org
http://www.epilepsyfoundationorg/
Tel: 301-459-3700 800-EFA-1000 (332-1000)
Fax: 301-577-2684
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605 resourcecenter@modimes.org
http://www.modimes.org/
Tel: 914-428-7100 888-MODIMES (663-4637)
Fax: 914-428-8203
National Disability Sports Alliance
25 West Independence Way
Kingston, RI 02881
info@ndsaonline.org
http://www.ndsaonline.org/
Tel: 401-792-7130
Fax: 401-792-7132
Children's Neurobiological Solutions (CNS) Foundation
1726 Franceschi Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
fia@cnsfoundation.org
http://www.cnsfoundation.org/
Tel: 866-CNS-5580 (267-5580) 805-965-8838
Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Assocn. (CHASA)
4101 West Green Oaks Blvd.
PMB #149
Arlington, TX 76016
info@chasa.org
http://www.hemikids.org/
Tel: 817-492-4325