Town of Bonnyville declares Oct 6 World Cerebral Palsy Day

Since 2012, communities across Alberta have come together to recognize World Cerebral Palsy Day. This annual event Is designed to raise public awareness about the serious challenges that remain for people affected by cerebral palsy.

On September 14, Council in the Town of Bonnyville proclaimed Oct 6, World Cerebral Palsy Day.

“We support the proclamation and recognize the need to raise public awareness of cerebral palsy,” Mayor Gene Sobolewski told Lakeland Connect.

In Alberta, it is estimated that over 9,000 individuals are affected by cerebral palsy. There is more than one diagnosis of cerebral palsy for every 500 children born each year in Alberta and the number of new cases per year has increased by 25 percent over the past decade. On a worldwide scale, over 17 million people have cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy is a neuromotor disability that affects approximately 3.3 people in every thousand. Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a group of conditions affecting body movement and muscle coordination. It is not a disease.

Arthur@lakelandconnect.thedev.ca