World Cerebral Palsy Day brings people together worldwide every October 6 to recognize the strengths and achievements of people with cerebral palsy (CP).
Michael and Harley
Easterseals PORT Health (ESPH) is an affiliate of United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) and supports their mission to promote the independence and inclusion of people with cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities and other disabilities.
We are proud to raise awareness about cerebral palsy by sharing important information about CP alongside the stories of Harley and Michael, as well as insights from Gary, Harley’s caregiver. Harley and Michael are living meaningful, independent lives and thriving with the support of our services!
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a set of disorders that affect movement, balance and posture. It affects a person’s ability to control their muscles and movements. The word “cerebral” refers to the brain and “palsy” means weakness or difficulty in using the muscles. CP is different for each person. Some people have minor mobility challenges, while others may have more severe physical disabilities (CDC, 2026).
What Causes Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to a baby’s developing brain, most often occurring in the womb. It is the most common motor disability in children (CDC, 2026).
What are the Early Signs of Cerebral Palsy?
The signs of cerebral palsy usually appear in the first few months of life. These include developmental motor delays, abnormal muscle tone and asymmetry in movement. Learn more about age-specific signs here.
What Programs Are Available for Adults with Cerebral Palsy in North Carolina?
Easterseals PORT Health supports individuals with cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities, helping them achieve their goals and live more independently through a variety of services.
Harley is 25 years old and receives services as part of ESPH’s Alternative Family Living (AFL) program. AFL provides individuals with developmental disabilities the opportunity to live in a supportive family home environment. Easterseals PORT Health carefully recruits, screens, trains and supports caregivers who welcome individuals into their homes and help them achieve greater independence and quality of life.
“It’s important to celebrate World Cerebral Palsy Day because it brings awareness to a wider population, and with greater awareness, comes better understanding. Celebrating this day promotes inclusion and acceptance,” shares Gary, Harley’s Alternative Family Living (AFL) caregiver. “What I enjoy most about being an AFL caregiver is being able to work closely with Harley in developing his life skills. With the right support, I see firsthand how Harley and others can better manage their lives and be part of their communities to the best of their abilities,” shares Gary.
Can Adults with Cerebral Palsy Work and Have Careers?
Yes! With the right support and resources, people with cerebral palsy can hold jobs, build successful careers and actively contribute to their communities. Michael is part of ESPH’s Individual + Community Services (ICS) program in Charlotte, NC. ICS provides personalized support that helps individuals with developmental disabilities build life skills, increase independence, access community resources and achieve their personal goals.
Michael has worked at Whole Foods for more than ten years. To celebrate his decade of incredible dedication and hard work, his Whole Foods team honored the milestone with two of his favorite foods: mac and cheese and chocolate cake. Outside of his job, Michael enjoys tracking technical weather information. When asked about his experiences, Michael shares, “I have cerebral palsy and Asperger’s. Like any condition, CP varies from person to person. It’s important to recognize and celebrate days like World Cerebral Palsy Day so people can understand cerebral palsy to best support and advocate for folks with it. It’s helpful having a job coach that supports me.”
This World Cerebral Palsy Day, we celebrate Michael, Harley and everyone with CP whose experiences, talents and achievements add so much value to their communities around the world. Learn more about our cerebral palsy services at eastersealsPORT.com/category/cerebral-palsy.
ABOUT US
Easterseals PORT Health is a trustworthy, compassionate partner providing exceptional disability, mental health and substance use services to help our neighbors live their best lives. Purpose, dedication and empathy drive our in-person and telehealth service delivery. Our diverse and inclusive 2,800 member team provides more than 10.2 million hours of meaningful support to 40,200 kids, adults and families in 11,000 home, facility and community locations across North Carolina and Virginia. Learn more at eastersealsPORT.com.
