Cerebral Palsy and Brain Injury Awareness Month – March 2026
March 2026 commemorates the 20th anniversary of Cerebral Palsy and Brain Injury Awareness Month. At Thompson Smith and Puxon, we’re honouring two decades of worldwide efforts by raising awareness, combating misconceptions, advocating for inclusion for people living with Cerebral Palsy and Brain Injury.
Cerebral Palsy is an umbrella term used to describe a group of disorders caused by non-progressive brain abnormality that results in difficulty with movement, tone, or posture. The abnormal development or damage to parts of the brain controlling movement that occurs prenatally, during birth or postnatally, is known as congenital Cerebral Palsy.
The main risk factors of congenital Cerebral Palsy are prematurity and low birth weight. Other causes can include stroke, infections and lack of oxygen to the brain.
Cerebral Palsy can also occur whilst the brain is developing in the first few years of life, namely acquired Cerebral Palsy. Acquired Cerebral Palsy is usually associated with an infection, such as meningitis, or a head injury. However, there are many cases of Cerebral Palsy worldwide where the exact cause is not known and each individual patient will often have their own multifactorial aetiology.
Cerebral Palsy is the most common lifelong physical disability in children. The campaign focuses on enhancing the quality of life of those affected. Although symptoms of Cerebral Palsy differ from person to person, all individuals experience some degree of motor impairment.
The Importance of Campaigning
By raising awareness for Cerebral Palsy, we can work towards:
- Driving social inclusion
- Promoting better access to resources and education
- Eroding stigmas and subsequently enable individuals to lead independent lives enriched with the right support
Public understanding of the condition’s diversity is essential in creating accessible environments and increasing funding in order to provide the specialised care and research necessary.
Statistics
In the United Kingdom 1 in 4 babies are thought to be affected by some form of Cerebral Palsy.[1] Cerebral Palsy has a higher prevalence in males rather than females and the science behind this disparity is contentious and ever evolving.
Approximately 80% of Cerebral Palsy cases are prenatal whilst 10-20% of cases can be attributable to complications during labour, delivery or after birth.
The cost and care for an individual with Cerebral Palsy can often reach into the millions, with this care then enabling most children with Cerebral Palsy to live into adulthood - with milder cases having a life span similar to that of the general population.
Adults with Cerebral Palsy can encounter Post-Impairment Syndrome.[2] This is a recognised phenomenon which, despite the non-progressive nature of Cerebral Palsy, can characterise by the long-term accumulation of the effects of Cerebral Palsy. It can cause increased pain and fatigue with the gradual decline of functional abilities, requiring individually tailored long-term care management.
Emerging technologies and Treatment/Management
Treatment focuses on achieving the best functional outcomes and takes an interprofessional team approach, with routine prenatal care and measures to reduce preterm birth and lower risk factors. A multidisciplinary approach including physicians, therapists, behavioural health specialists, social workers, case managers and educational specialists is necessary for treatment of Cerebral Palsy. The individual care each of these teams provide enhances the quality of life and decreases the disability burden.
However, emerging technologies, including electrical stimulation, robotic therapies, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and adaptive devices have demonstrated many benefits in enhancing mobility in children with Cerebral Palsy. Key advances include assistive communication such as eye-gaze software which allows those with severe limitations to communicate and express themselves through interacting with screens.
How can TSP help?
In some instances, medical negligence during pregnancy, childbirth or early postnatal period can be a potential cause of Cerebral Palsy. Thompson Smith and Puxon’s Medical Negligence team offer a free no-obligation discussion to any parents who have concerns regarding their pregnancy/birth management and the subsequent development of their child.
Thompson Smith and Puxon have historically, and are currently, working alongside parents of children where there is evidence of substandard care that directly contributed to the development of their child’s condition. If a claim can be established, through a legal test of causation and breach of duty, we are able to secure compensation for the child’s future. This ensures that their needs are met for the duration of their lives including any necessary rehabilitation, accommodation and specialist equipment.
We understand that this can be an extremely sensitive, emotive and difficult time for anyone looking to pursue a matter of this nature, and we treat each case with the upmost confidentiality and professionalism. If you are a parent or guardian, and you have concerns relating to the birth and/or development of your child, you can contact one of our experienced Medical Negligence solicitors who offer a free, no-obligation discussion to establish whether this is a viable option for you.
[1] https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/patient-information-pages/ageing-cerebral-palsy
[2] https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/patient-information-pages/ageing-cerebral-palsy