Let us Educate the Nigerian Communities on Cerebral Palsy (The Myths of CP)

(Physiolight 4_Clinical Condition)

What do we know about Cerebral Palsy?

In Nigeria, children with cerebral palsy (CP) suffer a lot of stigma from their community. The parents and family relatives of these children are not left out in the psychosocial trauma. Misconceptions abound, many attribute CP to witchcraft, the proponents of familial theory attribute it to “anger of the gods”- casted upon the family for their evil deeds. Some communities believe that a CP child cannot live a normal life, often than not these children are dumped in anthills or shrines, thinking that they will turn into a snake at dusk and return to the ancestors. These children are popularly called imbeciles…for an event that is never their fault…an event that could have happened to any of us!

Cerebral palsy refers to a group of neurological disorders that appear in early childhood and permanently affect body movement, muscle coordination, and balance. CP affects the part of the brain that controls muscle movements.  The majority of children with cerebral palsy are born with it, although it may not be detected until months or years later. The early signs of cerebral palsy usually appear before a child reaches 3 years of age. The most common are a lack of muscle coordination when performing voluntary movements (ataxia); stiff or tight muscles and exaggerated reflexes (spasticity); walking with one foot or leg dragging; walking on the toes, a crouched gait, or a “scissored” gait; and muscle tone that is either too stiff or too floppy. Other neurological symptoms that commonly occur in individuals with CP include seizures, hearing loss and impaired vision, bladder and bowel control issues, and pain and abnormal sensations. A small number of children have CP as the result of brain damage in the first few months or years of life, brain infections such as bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis, or jaundice, or head injury from a motor vehicle accident, a fall, or child abuse.

The disorder isn't progressive, meaning that the brain damage typically doesn't get worse over time. CP is not hereditary.

Is there any treatment?

Cerebral palsy can’t be cured, but treatment will often improve a child's capabilities. In general, the earlier treatment begins the better chance children have of overcoming developmental disabilities or learning new ways to accomplish the tasks that challenge them. Early intervention, supportive treatments, medications, surgery and ultimately PHYSIOTHERAPY can help many individuals improve their muscle control.

Is there any hope?

Cerebral palsy doesn’t always cause profound disabilities and for most people with CP the disorder does not affect life expectancy. Many children with CP have average to above average intelligence and attend the same schools as other children their age. However, a child with severe CP might be unable to walk and need extensive, lifelong care; but before you give-up, try physiotherapy.

Source: Cerebral Palsy Information Page_ National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).