Cerebral palsy is complicated to define just because it is a term used to cover a group of conditions that are non-contagious and non-progressive, and they can cause disability in a human physical development. it is a group of disorders all together, so it cannot be characterized as just one. Since the part of the brain affected is the cerebrum, it is called “cerebral”. The term “Palsy” is used to refer a movement disorder.
Cerebral Palsy Classifications
There are 4 major classifications for cerebral palsy:
1) Spastic Cerebral Palsy: it happens in seventy to eighty percent of all cases;
2) Ataxic Cerebral Palsy: it happens in around ten percent of al cases;
3) Athetoid Cerebral Palsy or Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy: it happens in forty percent of all cases; and finally,
4) Mixed: it is a combination of two or all three types of cerebral palsy.
A damage to the cerebellum and/or basal ganglia is the cause of choreo-athetoid cerebral palsy, originating trouble to control muscles and coordinating. Maintaining the balance is affected as well. When a person suffers from cerebro palsy they have uncontrollable movements even they are not sleeping, lack of control when they want to reach or grasp for something. Even speaking and mouthing words can be affected.
There are terms commonly use to describe the movements we just talked about, and those are:
1) Ataxia: it is when a person cannot walk steady and have challenges in keeping the balance.
2) Athetosis: it is when a person has slow and writhing movements, specially in the face or one hand.
3) Chorea: it is when a person shows jerky movements of one arm or legs.
4) Dystonia: it is when a person has twisting movements and postures of one’s limbs and/or trunk.
Cerebral Palsy: It’s Not The End Of Life!
Just because a person has cerebral palsy, it does not mean that he or she is unable to experience and enjoy a productive life. Nevertheless, the patient can experience some challenges. The more information they can get about the disease, the more chance they have to cope with the challenges that it carries. Besides, community should always keep in mind that people who suffers from cerebral palsy can be part and help to build their community.
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