Campaign For Cerebral Palsied Launched

Press, Volume C, Issue 29444, 21 February 1961, Page 2

Campaign For Cerebral Palsied Launched

A very small Christchurch society has a very big project on its hands. It is the Adult Cerebral Palsy Society, which was formed about two years ago to raise funds for a home for older cerebral palsy sufferers. Plans for raising money were discussed at a meeting last evening. They include stalls, street appeals, collections of white elephants, scrap metal, rags, bottles—anything to raise the £30,000 needed for the project. A pamphlet has been prepared and sent to prominent citizens and organisations. A further list of contacts yet to be made was prepared last evening.

The pamphlet, entitled “Why we need your help and what cerebral palsy is.” outlines the purpose of the society and its activities so far.

The Adult Cerebral Palsy Society was formed by s group of mothers who were worried about the future of their cerebral palsied children. Most of the members are at present looking after their children in their own homes, but problems are increasing.

One woman, tor example, is a widow, of 73. The strain of looking after her 40-year-old

son brought her almost to a state of collapse, and she was ordered to have a complete rest The only prospect tor her son is a mental hospital, which is not entirely suitable. Another member has a son aged 17 who has not walked He has to be lifted everywhere and as he is extremely heavy, she is experiencing greater and greater difficulty. “Although young victims of cerebral palsy are cared for by the Health Department and the Cerebral Palsy School, most of the responsi-

bility naturally falls on the parents, particularly as the children grow up,” says the pamphlet. "Twenty mothers, concerned over the future welfare of cerebral palsy cases, formed this society to ensure a home capable of providing that the right conditions and care were available for their adult sons and daughters when the parents were no longer available. No-man’s Land “These adult sufferers of cerebral palsy have unfortunately missed the help now available to young victims and they are in a ‘no-man’s land’.” Cerebral palsy is not a mental illness in the accepted sense, but there is no other home in the South Island for adult cerebral palsy cases, and very limited accommodation in the North. The aim of the society is to establish a small home in Christchurch where such cases can be kept together and given the specialised care needed. The initial aim is £12,000, but £30,000 would not be too much when buildings, furnishings, and physical therapy are considered. Some well-known organisations have already offered their help and the society is hopeful that more will be forthcoming.