Cerebral Palsy Research Network - CPRN

07/26/2025

On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush— a landmark piece of disability legislation that established a framework for creating a society that included people with disabilities. As we celebrate 35 years of the ADA in 2025, we honor its profound impact and the hard-won legacy of inclusion it represents. At this time in our history, the civil and human rights of the disabled community are being questioned. We must remember why this bipartisan legislation was created and not go back to the days when people with disabilities were forced to live in institutions because there was no other choice.

How has the ADA impacted your life? Where do you feel our society still needs to progress in including people with disabilities in society? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments. We'd love to hear from you! 💬

ID: A graphic celebrating the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) features the message “Disability Rights are Civil Rights” and invites viewers to share how the ADA has impacted their lives. The design includes the CP Research Network logo and a collage of joyful images of people with disabilities in everyday life — dancing, graduating, laughing, and connecting with others.

07/25/2025

🧬 Today is Genetic Testing Action Day!

Did you know that approximately 30% of cerebral palsy cases may have a genetic cause?

We’re proud to support , a movement empowering families to ask their pediatrician about genetic testing for children with developmental delays or unexplained medical issues.

✨ Genetic testing can lead to faster diagnoses, condition-specific treatments and longer term information.

📥 Download the free Parent Toolkit at StartGenetic.org
🔗 Learn more about genetic CP at cprn.org/genetic-cerebral-palsy

ID: A smiling young girl in pink glasses and a red-and-white striped dress is held lovingly by an older girl in patriotic-themed outfits. Bright text reads “Genetic Testing Action Day,” with information encouraging families to talk to their pediatricians about genetic testing for developmental delays or unexplained medical issues. CPRN logo is visible at the bottom.

07/23/2025

👏 Progress Through Partnership!

The Access Coalition is working to make retail spaces more inclusive and accessible. Big retailers such as Starbucks, CVS Health, Walmart, Sam’s Club, and others are teaming up with the American Association of People with Disabilities to better design retail spaces for people with disabilities.

→ https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/07/15/walmart-cvs-join-push-to-expand-disability-access/31537/

💡 From improved lighting and acoustics to barrier-free pathways and inclusive equipment, the Inclusive Spaces Framework is setting a new standard for accessibility in everyday places. According to the Starbuck's website the Inclusive Spaces Framework that they originally authored is designed to be "a holistic, collaborative approach for building retail environments that support choice, ease and independence for all people."

We love seeing major brands work with the disability community to create change and set examples for accessibility and inclusion for society! This group effort highlights the power of co-creation between businesses and the disability community.

→ https://adasoutheast.org/creating-inclusive-spaces-retail-coalition-announced/

Starbucks introduced big changes last year designed to increase inclusivity and accessibility at its stores. Now, several other major retailers are getting on board.

07/22/2025

If your child was recently diagnosed with cerebral palsy, we’re here to support you. 🧠

Explore our family-focused resources designed to guide you through the diagnosis period and shortly thereafter. We present detailed information about CP in a supportive context.

📥 Subscribe to our virtual community channel, MyCP to access all of our resources → https://cprn.org/our-toolkits/

ID: A bright graphic asks, “Was Your Child Just Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy?” and highlights two CP Research Network resources for families. It includes a “Tip Tuesday” badge and the organization’s logo with a 10-year anniversary banner.

07/21/2025

🎨 We Are... Digital Artists

Meet Julius van der Wat, a talented digital artist who began exploring abstract art in 2011, using an iPad and a stylus attached to a helmet. Through the Sketchbook Pro app, Julius transforms a blank screen into bold, expressive works of art. "I have very limited use of my arms and hands and no use in my legs. My art is an emotional outlet. It brings me joy seeing a completed piece."
Beyond his creative talents, Julius enjoys loves participating in the sport of boccia.

At the CP Research Network we celebrate the diverse passions and talents within our community through our We Are... series.

ID: A man wearing a helmet and a red floral shirt creates digital art using a stylus mounted to his helmet and an iPad in front of him. He is seated in a wheelchair, and a colorful display of his abstract artwork is shown on the table behind him. The graphic reads "We Are... Digital Artists" and includes the CP Research Network logo at the bottom.

07/18/2025

| 35% of people with CP have a genetic cause. People wonder if a genetic cause means that they no longer have CP, but just like other health conditions such as epilepsy or autism, kidney disease or heart disease (and more), there can be multiple causal pathways, including genetic causes leading to a diagnosis or set of symptoms that come together under a broader term, and it's no different for cerebral palsy. You can have cerebral palsy caused by a specific genetic change and carry both sets of terms to describe your health related needs.

Source: Srivastava S, et al. 2022 PMID: 36279113



ID Graphic reads “35% of people with cerebral palsy have a genetic basis or cause of their CP symptoms” with CP Research Network logo and .

07/17/2025

🎥 Missed Monday's MyCP Webinar? Watch it now on YouTube!

Join Dr. Joyce Oleszek and Dr. Wendy Pierce from Children’s Hospital Colorado as they share groundbreaking insights from our clinical registry.

📊 With data from over 1,200 individuals, this special presentation explores how types of early brain injury relate to mobility outcomes at age 6.

🧠 Don’t miss this important conversation about how early brain injuries can shape future mobility in children with CP.

👉 Watch now:

Doctors Joyce Oleszek and Wendy Pierce present findings from a new Cerebral Palsy Research Network study titled: “Etiology of Cerebral Palsy Is Associated wi...

07/16/2025

🎬 Film Spotlight: Crip Camp – A Disability Revolution

On the heels of Woodstock, a group of teen campers sparked a movement that would change the course of disability rights in America. 💪

Executive produced by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, Crip Camp is a powerful, eye-opening documentary that highlights the origins of the disability rights movement—told by those who lived it.

📺 Now streaming on Netflix — and it's a must-watch. Rated R.

▶️ Watch the trailer to learn more:

On the heels of Woodstock, a group of teen campers are inspired to join the fight for disability civil rights. This spirited look at grassroots activism is e...

07/15/2025

🧠💡

Receiving a cerebral palsy diagnosis can feel overwhelming—but you’re not alone.

Our free CP Tool Kit helps you navigate the early days, offering support and answers to common questions about CP. Pair it with our Wellbeing Guide, created for parents and caregivers supporting a child, teen, or young adult with CP or another disability.

📥 Subscribe to our virtual community channel, -MyCP to access all of our resources → https://cprn.org/our-toolkits/

Empower yourself with these practical and supportive resources from our collection of toolkits. The original CP Tool Kit is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

ID: Image features two resource guides: The Cerebral Palsy Tool Kit with a dandelion cover, and Wellbeing for Parents and Caregivers featuring a peaceful tree-lined path. Header reads “Tip Tuesday – Discover our Parent Resources Today.” Bottom includes the CP Research Network logo

07/14/2025

📣 Today is Disability Awareness Day — A global reminder to celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of people with disabilities in every community. As we are facing changes to national policy and legislation that supports people with disabilities, we are pounding the drum this month and every month about valuing the greater disability community and their rightful place in society and in this world.

Let’s commit to creating a more inclusive world through education, empathy, and action. Keep sharing our posts and spread disability pride and awareness education to your friends and family.

ID: Smiling woman in a wheelchair being hugged by a young boy inside a restaurant. Bright pink background reads “Disability Awareness Day.” Text below celebrates the strength and contributions of people with disabilities. Logo for the CP Research Network is included.

07/14/2025

Reminder regarding tonight's webinar. We hope you can join us!

The Cerebral Palsy Research Network engages the CP community by providing educational information, meaningful research and wellbeing programs

07/11/2025

🎉 July is Disability Pride Month — a time to honor the history, achievements, and vibrant diversity of the disability community. 💪

The word “pride” is powerful. It goes beyond "awareness" and it's about self-acceptance, strength in identity, and the rejection of shame or stigma often placed on people with disabilities. Disability Pride is about embracing every part of ourselves — not in spite of disability, but including it.

The Disability Pride Flag, designed by Ann Magill, reflects this spirit and tells a story through color and symbolism. The commonly seen awareness months and their single colored ribbon for health conditions are expanded for Disability Pride Month. The variety of symbolic colors reflect the diverse conditions and disabilities that make up the larger disability community.

Here is what they mean:

Charcoal Background - Represents mourning and rage — in remembrance of disabled people lost to ableism, violence, and systemic neglect, and in protest of ongoing injustice.

Diagonal Stripe - Cuts across the flag, symbolizing how the disability community breaks through barriers and radiates creativity and vitality.

Each color stripe represents a different group within the disability community:

Green – Sensory disabilities (blind, deaf, deafblind, etc.)

Blue – Emotional and psychiatric disabilities

White – Non-apparent and undiagnosed disabilities

Gold – Neurodivergence

Red – Physical disabilities

This month and every month, we celebrate the strength, pride, and visibility of the disability community. 💥

ID: A colorful graphic from the Cerebral Palsy Research Network celebrating Disability Pride Month in July. It features the Disability Pride flag and explains the meaning behind each color stripe and the flag's symbolism. Text highlights the importance of honoring the history, diversity, and strength of the disability community.