Birth-related brain injury

Cerebral palsy is a medical condition caused by brain injury during pregnancy, childbirth or post-birth.

The damaged parts of the brain do not recover but the symptoms can be improved.

These include;

• seizures
• spasms
  
• visual and hearing problems
  
• learning disorders

If rehabilitation and therapy is provided early enough, it can make a vital difference.

For many of the world’s poorest children this support simply isn’t available – much less affordable.

CBM’s Community Care Workers travel to towns, villages and slums, find children with cerebral palsy and develop local support and rehabilitation groups.

This means parents can get the help their children desperately need and find companionship and support with other parents.

Saranyah's story

Saranyah’s life was very sad and lonely. At just four years old, she was left unwashed and unattended.

You see, Saranyah was born with Cerebral Palsy. Unable to walk or stand without support, her parents had given up all hope of her ever having a future.

The family has strong traditional beliefs that Saranyah’s disability is a curse from the gods.

“She is a burden because she is a female with a disability. She will not be able to work and get married. No one will want her as a wife in the future.” says her father.

Some people in the village also believed Saranyah’s disability is a curse from the gods.

That’s why she was hidden away. Saranyah was only able to crawl around the house and didn’t go outside much because of the fear of being teased by the other children in the village.

A CBM worker visited the local school and was told about Saranyah. The family wasn’t supportive and it took several visits to gain any kind of trust.

Finally, Saranyah’s grandmother convinced the parents to allow the CBM worker exercise her legs.

The CBR worker, together with her grandmother, built parallel bars and a walking aid to help Saranyah with her daily exercises. They are amazed at the changes after only months of therapy.  

Saranyah is always happy to see the CBM worker when she comes to help her with the exercises.

Today she can play with the other children in the village and they make her welcome.

Surumpayee hopes that her grand daughter will be able to start school next year and will do well in her education.

Facts about cerebral palsy

• Early signs include floppy limbs and slow development
• In developing countries cerebral palsy is the second largest cause of disability
• Approximately 1 in every 300 babies is born with or develops cerebral palsy