Philippine Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a developmental disability since it influences the way children develop. In the Philippines, there are more patients with CP than those with polio, spinal lesions and other movement disorders combined which approximate about 1-2% of the total population. Despite this, there is no government program that addresses this condition; both in treatment and prevention. Philippine Cerebral Palsy [Rehabilitation Center], Inc. is the only non-stock; non-profit organization dedicated to the treatment and alleviation of CP and other motor-related disorders in the Philippines. Founded in 1956, PCPI continues to champion for the care and rights of the CP individual.

Nature & Prevalence:

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is known as a developmental disability since it influences the way children develop. In the United States, more people have CP than any other developmental disability, including Down syndrome & epilepsy. It is the most common disorder that affects children & adults in the world. In the Philippines, there are more patients with CP than those with polio, spinal lesions and other movement disorders combined which approximate about 1-2% of the total population. Despite this, there is no government program that addresses this condition; both in treatment and prevention.

What is Cerebral Palsy (CP):

CP describes chronic conditions affecting body movements and muscle coordination. An early nonprogressive brain lesion which is not episodic, leads to a motoric deficit, disorder of tone and posture.

Causes:
Includes damage to areas of the brain- before, during or shortly after birth, including genetic diseases and embryologic abnormalities, infections during pregnancy, insufficient oxygen reaching the fetus, prematurity, asphyxia (lack of oxygen) during labor and delivery, blood diseases, severe jaundice, other birth defects; there is, likewise, acquired CP (head injuries).

Effect:
"Cerebral" refers to brain & "Palsy" to a disorder of movement or posture. Injury to the brain (cerebral) prevents body muscles to be used normally. CP is neither a disease nor an illness; it is

neither progressive nor communicable; it is not contagious. The movement and other problems associated with CP affect what a child is able to learn and do in varying degrees through life. Depending on which areas of the brain have been damaged, these may occur: muscle tightness or spasm, involuntary movement, disturbance in gait and mobility, abnormal sensation and perception, visual, hearing or speech impairment and seizures. The body becomes twisted due to the uneven pull of the muscles resulting in joint dislocations and deformities. More severely affected suffer from epilepsy, autism and mental retardation; deafness and blindness. It is not "curable" but education, therapy and applied technology can help persons with CP lead productive lives. Although some children with very mild CP recover by the time they are school-aged, CP is a lifelong disability. Some patients can attend regular school, get married and find employment. However, a great majority of CP patients depend on help from others in their entire lifetime.

Diagnosis:
Identify disabilities early. Before a child can be appropriately diagnosed with CP, their pediatrician must first look closely at both the child and the mother's medical background to determine if there are any known causes of CP present in the history. Often, a child with CP will use the hand that is not always the most practical to them due to the fact that depending on the brain damage, one (1) side of the body will be stronger than the other side that is affected. When CP has been diagnosed, the doctors may request for a cranial ultrasound, x-rays, CT scans or MRI to determine the possible cause/s of CP. Parents may become concerned about their baby's development if the child is having problems learning to roll over, sit, crawl or walk. Parents, always, should discuss these concerns with their baby's pediatrician.

Warning Signs - Suspected CP:

Your general pediatrician checks the baby's motor skills and reflexes and will be able to spot warning signs for CP. These include weakness, early hand preference, abnormal postures, irritability, feeding difficulties, delayed or impaired speech, excessive or feeble crying, slow weight gain, and very slow or failure to develop motor skills.

Prevention:
Rh disease and congenital rubella syndrome used to be causes of CP. Currently; Rh disease can be prevented when an Rh-negative pregnant woman receives appropriate care. Women can be tested for immunity to rubella before pregnancy and be vaccinated if they are not immune. Babies with severe jaundice are placed under phototherapy. Head injuries among babies can be prevented when they are secured in car seats properly positioned in the backseat of the vehicle. Routine vaccination of babies (with the Hib vaccine) prevents many cases of meningitis. A woman can help reduce her risk of pre-term delivery when she seeks early (ideally starting with a pre-pregnancy visit) and regular

prenatal care and avoids cigarettes, alcohol and illicit drugs.

Prognosis:
CP damage is permanent. Mental and thought processes are not always affected, so the patient's IQ may be normal or even above normal, but they are trapped in their bodies with their disabilities. There is no cure for CP. Damage to the brain is a permanent condition but not progressive in nature. The condition will not worsen.

Treatment:
This is best accomplished by a multi-disciplinary team composed of a developmental pediatrician, a neurologist, orthopedist, ophthalmologist, ENT specialist, gastroenterologist, pulmonologist, rehab and non-physician members - physical and occupational therapist, orthotist, speech & language pathologist, social worker, psychologist, educators, parents and caregivers. The needs of the child are assessed and an individualized treatment plan will help the child reach his full potential. Philippine Cerebral Palsy [Rehabilitation Center], Inc. is the only non-stock; non-profit foundation dedicated to the treatment and alleviation of CP and related motor disorders in the Philippines.

National Center for Mental Health

The National Center for Mental Health is dedicated to delivering preventive, curative and rehabilitative range of quality mental health services. It is the only hospital of its size that is dedicated to psychiatric care It is categorized as Special Research Training Center and Hospital under Department of Health on January 30, 1987. Mission / Vision

A globally-accepted learning Center that provides responsive and comprehensive mental health care services, promotes patient empowerment, pursues self-sustaining programs, and excels in training and research.
NCMH was established through Public Works Act 3258. It was formally opened on December 17, 1928 and was originally called the INSULAR PSYCHOPATIC HOSPITAL. It was later called the National Mental Hospital. On November 12, 1986, it was renamed NATIONAL CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH (NCMH) through Memorandum Circular No. 48 issued by the Office of the President. Today, NCMH has an authorized bed capacity of 4,200 and a daily average of around 3,000 in-patients. It has a total of 35 Pavilions and 52 Wards sprawling on a 46.7 hectare compound in Mauway, Mandaluyong City. The NCMH is a special training and research hospital mandated to render a comprehensive (preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative) range of quality mental health services nationwide. It also gives and creates venues for quality mental health education, training and research geared towards hospital and community mental health services nationwide.

The Philippine Deaf

The Philippine Deaf moves forward through the power of volunteerism. Hearing and deaf individuals, most of whom work fulltime in their own careers generously share their resources, talents and expertise in the various projects. Operating through the spirit and energies of a network of about a hundred hearing and Deaf individuals within and outside the Philippines, is guided by the principles of deafness as a culture, and research and information as empowerment for Deaf organizations. This diverse network and pool of resource persons and entities draw from academe, industry and civil society. Though comprised of many hearing volunteers, it is guided by the wisdom and counsel of a panel of Deaf Advisors. Our goals To serve as a nationwide center for the Filipino Deaf community, and its individual and collective stakeholders, in the various needs, challenges and issues that concern it, by: a. encouraging, conducting and commissioning RESEARCH, particularly on sign language linguistics and interpreting, employment and livelihood, education, health and counseling, policy-making and legislation, media and technology, and Deaf culture and the arts; b. gathering and providing INFORMATION through the development of materials, and their publication and dissemination by print or electronic means; and c. serving as a NETWORKING support for caregivers of the Deaf, advocates for the community, and Deaf organizations.

What we believe in The PDRC is guided by the following principles and progressive philosophies:

Deafness is viewed as a culture. Thus, Deaf individuals are considered members of a cultural / linguistic minority. There exists a natural language used by the Filipino Deaf community, and that is Filipino Sign Language. It is the recommended language of choice in all their linguistic domains. Bilingualism is the educational goal for Deaf Filipinos, recognizing Filipino Sign Language as their first language, and aiming to develop literacy skills in a written language. Members of the Filipino Deaf community are held together by their support for common values and goals, particularly the use of sign language.

Deaf Filipinos possess human rights equally as any Filipino. Deaf Filipinos, individually and collectively, need empowerment rather than charity.