Your steps make huge impact
Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA) wouldn't be able to help people with cerebral palsy to live their best lives, without the support from generous fundraisers like you.
STEP UP and do something great for your personal wellbeing, connect with a passionate community of STEPpers, and fundraise to drive meaningful change for people living with cerebral palsy.
Discover how you can help
Meet some incredible children and adults living with cerebral palsy.
Chanel is an absolute superstar, nothing can stop her.After sustaining brain damage within 2 weeks of birth, Chanel was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia.Now at 11 years old, Chanel is always on the move - she loves to go bowling, the movie, shopping, hanging out with her family and going on vacations! But most of all, Chanel loves to be herself.Chanel has big dreams to be a singer, be on broadway and to walk. She is thrilled to be by your side as one of your STEPtember Trainers. |
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Nic is back for his second year as your STEPtember Trainer! He’s ready to motivate you to never give up – just like him.Nic was born fifteen weeks premature, weighing only 800 grams, with only a five percent chance of survival. He spent the first four months of his life in ICU, mostly on life support, but he never gave up.He began therapy with Cerebral Palsy Alliance after he was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia. CPA was a lifeline for his family and are still a huge support.Now 24 years old, Nic is a charismatic young man who loves boxing, going to NRL games, hanging out with his friends and family, and having a nice meal to eat! |
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Isaac’s bubbly personality and cheeky smile are the perfect ingredients to get you moving.At birth, Isaac was blue and nonresponsive. Doctors suspected Isaac experienced HIE, meaning his brain didn’t receive enough oxygen. That night, his parents, Sarah and Jaime, were told Isaac might have cerebral palsy.Although Isaac is unable to do much with his arms, his legs are strong! He loves his walker, his racerunner and swimming – you’ll be lucky to catch him!He also loves to boogie, so if you hear ABBA playing, you’re bound to find Isaac dancing his heart out to it! |
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Moses is fun, adventurous, kind and wild at heart. He’s done it all – and can now tick ‘STEPtember Trainer’ off his list too.When Moses was born, things didn’t quite go as expected and he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy athetoid, which affects his arms and legs. But this hasn’t stopped this adventurous 22-year-old from living life to the fullest. Moses has parasailed, gone shark cage diving, jet skiing, snorkelling, sailing…the list goes on!And he has done this with his two biggest cheerleaders by his side – his younger brothers, Aramis and Noah. This trio and their mother Renee are the epitome of “stronger together” and are guaranteed to get you moving this STEPtember. |
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Do these stories inspire you to take the first step for people living with cerebral palsy?
How you've stepped up
For over a decade, your fundraising has driven international research into the prevention, treatment and cure of cerebral palsy.
$48M
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Your continued support ensures people living with cerebral palsy can benefit from ongoing research and have access to advancing technology and services, no matter where they’re located.
What we do
CPA supports over 7,900 clients and their families to achieve mobility, communication, independence and community inclusion. Our services include:
Access to our therapy, telepractice and support centres.
Early diagnosis and intervention for babies with cerebral palsy.
Delivery of therapy to children and families in rural and regional areas.
Technology and equipment to assist communication, mobility, health, inclusion and independence.
Our biggest achievements
We now know that cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the developing brain, which can result from genetic factors or prematurity. With this knowledge, we’ve been able to make some truly incredible achievements:
Rate of cerebral palsy in Australia has dropped from 1 in 400 to 1 in 700 births.
Average age of diagnosis was previously 19 months, however it’s now possible to diagnosis babies at just 12 weeks.
Now, with the introduction of cooling and magnesium sulphate around the time of birth, we can prevent and reduce the severity of cerebral palsy.
People with cerebral palsy need your continued support
We couldn't do what we do without the generous support of fundraisers like you.
Projects supportted by steptember
Research
In 2005 Cerebral Palsy Alliance established a Research Foundation to fund Australian and international cerebral palsy research.
Current cerebral palsy research priorities include early diagnosis and intervention, epidemiology, technology and regenerative medicine.
The rate of cerebral palsy in Australia has fallen by an astonishing 30% since the Foundation was established. This, along with other research achievements, has been made possible thanks to the support from our amazing fundraisers and donors.
Join STEPtember today and your fundraising will help to create a positive impact for Australians living with cerebral palsy.
Babies at risk therapy program - from 3 months of age
The first five years of a child's life are critical for their brain's development. The earlier therapy can begin, the more time the brain will have to rewire, relearn and strengthen important connections.
Without the Babies at Risk program, babies without a cerebral palsy diagnosis can wait months to receive support. This means they can miss the critical window of opportunity to take advantage of the brain's neuroplasticity.
With funds raised from STEPtember, we can ensure babies at risk of cerebral palsy are given the very best start to life.
Rural & Regional programs
The Rural and Regional Program was created to support children with disabilities and their families in regional and remote areas.
These families face additional challenges around accessing support and therapy when living in geographically isolated or remote areas in Australia.
The funds from STEPtember will help further extend the access and assistance available to the families in our Regional and Rural Therapy Programs.
Register today and help people with cerebral palsy
MOVE TOGETHER FOR PEOPLE WITH CEREBRAL PALSY.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT TOWARDS INCLUSIVITY.
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