Category Archives: Cerebral Palsy

Arabelle Laddusaw feels at her most independent when she'sriding her horse and competing in the rodeo. She's in control and it's the best thing she does all week. "It's exciting and I love doing it," she said. Arabelle is 7 and will be a second-grader at Big Sky Elementary when school resumes this month. As a 1-year-old she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and has spent most of her young life learning to live with it. Arabelle Laddusaw flashes a smile as she rides her horse, Sister, out of the arena after competing in the pole bending competition during a kid's rodeo at Miller's Horse Palace in Laurel last month. Arabelle was born with cerebral palsy and loves riding horses. And horses and rodeo is how she does it. Horses have long been a big part of the Laddusaw family. "My mom has always ridden horses," said Christine Laddusaw, Arabelle's mother. Christine's parents have owned horses nearly all their lives, and Arabelle's older sister was a barrel racer all through high school. It wasn't long after Arabelle learned to talk that she started asking about riding horses. "She said she wanted to do it and so I told her, 'We'll … Continue reading →

Julian Cappelli, 16, who has cerebral palsy, enjoys some time with his mother Donna in their Toronto home. A new study from Holland Bloorview and SickKids has found there's a stronger genetic link in cases of hemiplegic cerebral palsy, the most common form of CP, than previously thought.(Bernard Weil / Toronto Star) | Order this photo By Ainslie CruickshankStaff Reporter Tues., Aug. 8, 2017 Researchers say genetic testing should be standard practice when diagnosing cerebral palsy after a new study found that genetic variations could be a factor in hemiplegic cerebral palsy, the most common form of the motor disability. Standardizing a genetic workup for children with cerebral palsy, though, would depend on government funding. There should be genetic testing that happens as soon as possible; thats the take home message in this study, said Stephen Scherer, director of the Centre for Applied Genomics at SickKids and one of the authors of the study, which was done by researchers at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children. For families, genetic testing could help explain why their child developed cerebral palsy. For researchers, it offers new directions for research aimed at preventing and treating the condition, which … Continue reading →

In the world of drums and flats, there is no bigger bird show in STL thanUnited Cerebral Palsy Heartland's annual "Wing-Ding" fundraiser. This year, the seventh annual meet and treat, will be from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Greensfelder Arena in Queeny Park. Eleven STL restaurants will compete in three categories: traditional, specialty and dry-rubbed. There also will be a best-of-show award. Along with yours truly, our fair burg's top daily newspaper will send Go! Magazine editor Gabe Hartwig and food writerDan Neman. A flock of radio jocks have signed up for the good cause (and free food):Trish "Vogue" Gazall and Greg Hewitt of KEZK-FM 102.5; John Carney, Jon Grayson and Marc Lillibridge of KTRS-AM 550; Howard Balzer of KXFN-AM 1380; Staci Static of WFUN-FM 95.5; and Scott Rizzuto and Tony Patrico of KPNT-FM 105.7. But wait, there's more.Steve Harris of KMOV (Channel 4);St. Louis Magazine dining editor George Mahe; andDee Ryan of Sauce magazine also will be on hand with other celebrity judges. Contestant are: Barristers; EdgeWild Bistro & Tap; Hot Shots Sports Bar & Grill; Smugalas Pizza Pub; St. Louis Wing Co.; Sugarfire Smokehouse; The Slider House; Three Kings Public House; Truemans Soulard Sports Bar; Walnut … Continue reading →

SAGINAW COUNTY, MI (WNEM) - Nathan Weidman isn't your average 17-year-old. He runs cross country, gets good grades, is a family guy -- and he organizes 5K fundraisers in his free time. Weidman thought of the idea by joining two important things in his life - cross country and his cousin Briggs. "Hey buddy we're doing all this for you, Weidman said. The run isn't your average run either. Briggs is living with cerebral palsy and his family needs help with medical expenses. Despite the storms, dozens came out this weekend to support Nathans favorite cousin. Even though the 8-year-oldis confined to a stroller, Weidman said he brings the most smiles to his family's faces. "He loves noises like clapping. He loves that and if you get a balloon and kind of rub the balloon on his head or whatever he cracks up about that it's really funny, Weidman said. Briggs family is hoping the 5K brings in $4,000 because Briggs will need a bigger van soon. "There are a lot of expenses that aren't covered by insurance when they should be, so I really wanted to put this together just to help you know raise money to go towards … Continue reading →

A legally blind Miami man with cerebral palsy who has filed about 70 similar lawsuits is suing Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key in federal court, claiming its website fails to allow him access. Juan Carlos Gil wants Hawks Cay to redo its website so that screen-reader software he uses can be used to access it. Gil also seeks compensation for his time and suffering, saying he tried to plan a vacation to the Keys resort but was stymied by the websites limitations. No price can be put on the plaintiffs inability to shop for himself, his attorney Scott Dinin of Miami wrote in the 32-page complaint against Hawks Cay. Gil, who filed the suit at U.S. District Court in Key West on July 18, recently won a similar lawsuit against the Winn-Dixie company after a two-day trial last month. A judge found that the grocery chains website is an extension of its physical locations and therefore subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act. In that case, filed in Miami federal court in July 2016, Judge Robert Scola Jr. ordered Winn-Dixie to change its website as a remedy and limited Gil to attorney fees. Gil has been on 500-600 other … Continue reading →

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter WASHINGTON (CBSMiami) One of the best-known runners in our nations capital is not famous for speed or distance. Shes well known because there was a time when doctors said she would never be able to run at all. Jamie Watts comes in dead last when running races, but finishing at all gives her something to brag about. She was born with a form of cerebral palsy that makes her leg muscles so stiff that she needs a cane to help her balance. But that didnt stop her from doing something she never thought possible. Five years ago, she ran her first 5K. It was just such a great experience that I just kept going, said Watts. She set a goal to run 34 races in the year leading up to her 34th birthday. She ended up running 40 races. I just felt an overwhelming sense of community and accomplishment, not just for myself but for everybody who helped me get to that goal, she said. Shes got a fierce spirit. Shes got determination, said race organizer Lisa Reeves who added that Watts has become a local hero in the Washington running world. Jamie is an … Continue reading →

Ben Simmons may be preparing for his first season in a 76ers uniform, but he still found time to make a little boys dream come true Thursday. Tyler Osowski is a 12-year-old from Prospect Park that suffers from cerebral palsy and was born legally blind. After having major surgery to help him walk back in June at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, Osowki let it be known to Fox 29s Dawn Timmeney that he hoped to meet Simmons, whose No. 25 was painted all over his room at CHOP. Timmeney passed the word along to the former No. 1 overall pick via Twitter. Simmons responded and everything fell into place from there. Osowski and his family got to spend the day with Simmons at the Sixers team facility in Camden, N.J., where they got to shoot some hoops and have one-on-one chat. It means a lot to me, obviously, Simmons told Fox 29. Hes a strong kid so when I see if I could help somebody, I love to do that. It was everything I thought it was going to be, Osowski told Fox 29. For Fox 29s full video report, click HERE. Published: August 4, 2017 3:01 AM EDT | … Continue reading →

A charity which helps people with cerebral palsy has moved into its new base in Chesterfield. CP Teens UK was founded in 2013 by then 18-year-old Ellie Simpson, who has quadriplegic athetoid cerebral palsy, during her gap year. For the first few years, Ellie, now 22, of Walton, ran the charity out of her own bedroom, but it is now located at the Community Hub at Chesterfield Football Club. Ellie said: As I went through secondary school, I became increasingly socially isolated by able-bodied peers as I struggled to physically keep up and physically fend for myself. Even though I left school with good GCSEs and A Levels, I could not find any opportunities anywhere, either paid or unpaid, to take up as a young person with a physical disability. Ellie posted about the charity on Twitter and was contacted by hundreds of young people with cerebral palsy who also said they felt alone. The youngster continued to develop the charity during her gap year between 2013 and 2014, and while studying for her sport development with coaching degree at Sheffield Hallam University. Inspirational Ellie organised a number of high-profile events which led to CP Teens UK gaining full charitable … Continue reading →

Earlier today, I was telling a story about how I rejected calling myself disabled for a long time. As fate would have it, The Mighty newsletter featured a post called, When I Started Calling Myself Disabled. Floored and completely interested, I read Holly Abels words. We had different stories, but two things were similar and they really stood out: The word disabled didnt feel like it was our word, and finding and confirming her identity gave her strength. YES! I literally almost screamed. Holly didnt really elaborate on what either of those things meant, but for me, I instantly returned to being a 10-year-old girl isolated in a classroom. My peers were supposed to be my equals and yet I felt as ifI werestanding on the edge of a cliff. My classmates socialized with ease, but I felt like interacting with them would push me off the cliff into the icy water. It was that intense for me. I didnt want to be disabled, I wanted to be normal. I would tell people I had cerebral palsy, and I could even explain it, if I had to, just to avoid using the word disabled. I, like Holly, believed that if … Continue reading →

This was the heartwarming moment a 10-year-old girl with cerebral palsy skated the length of an ice rink before scoring a goal all the while being cheered on by some of the UKs biggest names in ice hockey. Mia Thorne, from Cilfynydd near Pontypridd , completed her year-long challenge by skating across Cardiffs Ice Arena Wales as part of the UK Charity Allstars Weekend and defying her condition, known as congenital hemiplegia. The condition meant Mia could once hardly walk but she has achieved the seemingly impossible after a year of practising as well as raising more than 6,000, smashing her fundraising target. Her mum, Karene, said: It was a magical moment. All of the ice hockey players who took part in the event divided and were chanting Mias name, hitting their sticks against the floor in support. There wasnt a dry eye in the house the atmosphere was beyond. They all knew how hard she has worked and struggled this past year to get to this point. Mia was really overwhelmed by it all. Although she was a little bit nervous at the start the more they were chanting the more she was determined to do it. Before beginning … Continue reading →