National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week 2009

2 – 8 August 2009

One of the many highlights of CP Week is our National You Be the Difference Campaign. This unique Campaign gives us the opportunity to celebrate the difference people with CP are making at school, home, work or in our community and the work of The Centre for Cerebral Palsy. Launch date for the online community at youbethedifference.com.au is July 30!

Click here to find out how to enter as a CP Week 'You Be the Difference' Perth-O-Nality

Join in the many activities of CP Week especially on Friday August 7, when The City will come alive with brightly vested volunteers rattling tins and collecting small change to make a big difference. This year our volunteers will also be collecting any unwanted mobile phones to recycle for CP. Click here for the flyer. CP Week Perth-O-Nality DJ, Bodie Huts, will be entertaining the lunchtime crowds in Forrest Chase, so if you are in the City come and join us. 

Download a full programme of events

View our CP Week 2009 poster

Download the poster for our Forum on Common problems for Children with CP

CP Week would not be possible without the tremendous support of our sponsors, community partners, supporters and volunteers.  We look forward to sharing some of the many CP Week activities with you.  

For more information about National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week, please contact Kathy Kane on (08) 9443 0228 or kathy.kane@tccp.com.au.

Would you like to promote or support National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week at your school, work or club? Download an Expression of Interest form here.

Has a person or organisation you know made a difference to the life of a person with CP? Nominate them for a Community Excellence Award!

Would you like to get your school involved in CP Week? Register here for a FREE School Pack to help raise awareness in your classroom.

National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week Sponsors and Community Partners:

Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week 2008

National CP Awareness Week was held nationally from 3-9 August, to celebrate the achievements of people living with CP, raise awareness, understanding and acceptance of the condition and to provide a forum for people with CP to share insights and exchange ideas. Importantly, the week was about bringing the Western Australian community together through community and fundraising events and activities to raise much needed funds and to enhance the quality of life for those living with CP.

The theme of this year's CP Awareness Week campaign was communication.

The inspirational Champion of National CP Awareness Week 2008 was 10 year old Sarah from North Perth. Sarah is a triplet and has CP affecting her movement and speech. Her mum Marisa says "She loves going to school, riding roller coasters, hanging out with brother Carl and sister Annie and watching cartoons".

Like any 10 year old, Sarah has plenty to say. To communicate, Sarah uses facial expressions. To say 'yes', Sarah raises her eyes, to say 'no' she blinks slowly.

This year's National CP Awareness Week theme reminds us that many children and adults with CP communicate without the benefit of speech, using only gestures, facial expressions and/or communication systems and devices.

Highlights from National CP Awareness Week 2008 included:

• 'Drums in Motion' drumming workshops with Andrew Hewitt for children and adult clients.
• The opening of a newly renovated community home in Mt Lawley by the then Minister for Housing and Works the Hon Michelle Roberts MLA.
• The launch of new resources developed by The Centre including; Citizenship Towards the Final Frontier CD-ROM, L Plates P Plates Powered To Go Training Package and SupaSibs DVD.
• An Olympic themed client night with live band The Healy's and a special guest performance by Andrew Hewitt.
• A breakfast hosted by Lavan Legal, with special guest speaker Kerry Allan-Zinner.
• More than 70 schools participated in the CP Awareness Week School's Programme, which included a free, comprehensive School's Pack with fun activity sheets and fundraising ideas.
• CP Country Conference for therapists and families who live in rural and remote WA.
• Forget-Me-Not Street Appeal, which raised over $6000 for people living with CP in WA.
• Greyhounds WA Charity Race Night for CP, which raised over $7000 to purchase specialised equipment for children and young adults with CP.
• CP Awareness Week Community Service Announcements on television and radio.
• Valued Supporters Function for long term individual supporters, local businesses, and service and community groups.
• Community Excellence Awards for local individuals, businesses and service providers.

From the first bounce at Medibank Stadium, where The Centre's charity partners the Subiaco Football Club kicked off CP Awareness Week in a blockbuster game against South Fremantle, until the final whistle blew at The Wannabies vs the WA Police Hogs charity football match at Arena Joondalup, CP Awareness Week 2008 was full of fun, excitement, and celebration of the achievements of the 2000 people living with CP in WA.

For a full Event Listing, click here to download the CP Awareness Week Programme of Events.

The Centre for Cerebral Palsy would like to thank our Sponsors, Media Partners and everyone who supported National CP Awareness Week 2008. Your kind support allows us to continue providing essential support and services to enhance the quality of life and independence of children and adults living with CP in WA. THANK YOU!

Sponsored by: