16/09/2026
𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐲 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤: 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞
Led by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week is observed annually from September 16 to 22, established under Presidential Proclamation No. 588, s. 2004. This aims to promote awareness, understanding, rights, and equal opportunities for individuals with cerebral palsy.
Cerebral Palsy is a lifelong neurological condition that begins in early development. It is a group of neurological conditions that affect a person's ability to move and maintain balance, posture, and coordination. It results from abnormalities or damage to a developing brain that affect a person’s qability to control their muscles. Cerebral palsy affects people in many ways depending on the type.
Spastic type, the most common, features stiff muscles and awkward movements. Dyskinetic type features uncontrollable twitching movements. Ataxic type features poor balance. Mixed type is a combination of two or more types. In severe cases, some develop communication and sensory impairments and may need special equipment, while in mild cases, some may move a little stiffly but
need no special equipment. While there is currently no cure, appropriate treatments and rehabilitation can help individuals manage the symptoms and make daily life more comfortable.
Studies report that the global prevalence of cerebral palsy ranges from 1 to 4 cases per 1,000 live births. In the Philippines, it affects an estimated 1% to 2% of the population, roughly equivalent to one million Filipinos. These figures reflect that numerous individuals and families experience cerebral palsy. But behind these numbers are people with different experiences, abilities, and needs, highlighting the importance of awareness, support, and inclusion.
Living with cerebral palsy involves more than just dealing with physical challenges. They may also encounter barriers in education, healthcare, employment, social participation, and other events. Now, these barriers are often present not because of the condition itself, but because the environments and systems are designed without accommodating different abilities. That is why awareness must go beyond simply knowing what cerebral palsy is.
It means seeing the person, not just the disability, and recognizing their abilities and what they can do while taking into consideration the challenges they deal with.
It means creating safe spaces where everyone can participate comfortably, regardless of their abilities and support needs.
It means listening to and engaging with people with cerebral palsy, allowing them to have a voice in matters that affect their lives.
It means making sure that they are given the support and opportunities they need and deserve in education, healthcare, and other aspects of their lives.
Let us change the misconceptions that define people by their disabilities. Having cerebral palsy does not determine a person’s worth, potential, or even dreams. Every individual deserves the opportunity to learn, communicate, participate in social events, and pursue their goals with the dignity and support they deserve.
This Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week, let us move from awareness to acceptance, acceptance to inclusion, and inclusion to action. Because awareness without action is just an illusion of progress. Awareness only becomes meaningful when it leads to understanding, inclusion, and action. So together, let us help create a community where people are informed, and individuals with cerebral palsy are empowered, respected, and included, not just accommodated.
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𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘭 𝘈𝘭𝘧𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘰
𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘮𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘯 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘪𝘰
