DISABILTY IN TODAYS WORLD
HAVE YOU GOT CEREBRAL PALSY
What is Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy (C.P.) is a condition resulting from damage to the brain resulting in various types of neuromuscular disabilities. The damage affects the person's voluntary motor control.
It is a non-progressive disorder. The degree of disability may range from very minimal to extremely severe. The numerous manifestations of C.P. may be categorized into five major
types:

1.Spasticity
Due to damage to the cerebrum, there is loss of control of voluntary motor
actions, resulting in often jerky movements.
Most prevalent type of C.P. In 50 - 60% of all cases, resulting in persistent and
increased tension of muscles.
Can result in contractures of muscles and lead to postural problems.
2.Athetosis
The control centre for purposeful movement, the basal ganglia, is affected.
Second most prevalent type of C.P. in 30% of all cases.
Characterized by constant, involuntary movements that are uncontrollable,
unpredictable and purposeless.
Usually extraneous movements accompany all voluntary motion which has the
athetoids body position in a constant state of change.
3.Ataxia
Results from damage to the cerebellum which is responsible for the coordination
of muscle functions.
Less than 10% of C.P. cases.
Results in uncoordinated movements, awkward gait, lack of hand coordination.
4.Rigidity
Is a result of damage to motor cortex and basal ganglia.
2-5% of C.P. cases - cause of mental retardation, very tense and stiff muscles;
movement very difficult.
5.Tremor
Results from damage to cerebellum or basal ganglia.
Least frequent manifestation, characterized by uncontrolled, involuntary
rhythmic motion.
Most prevalent when attempting to control movement.

No two persons with Cerebral Palsy are affected identically by the damage to the brain. The
many possibilities of physical manifestations make it very difficult to group athletes for fair
competition. As a result, the C.P. athletes' numerous manifestations are divided into eight
classes of function classification for sports. Within a class, each person will have similar
functional abilities but could have very different physical characteristics. The classification
equates the functional ability of the C.P. athlete to the sport, enabling fair and competitive
competition.

CEREBRAL PALSY AND SPORTS
Paralympics, athletic and sporting events and games for the disabled and partially disabled (for example, the blind, amputees, the partially sighted, paraplegics,
and those suffering cerebral palsy, and learning difficulties). The games originated in Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England and were the
outcome of work which had begun with the general rehabilitation of World War II veterans suffering from spinal injuries. The inspiration behind them came from
Dr Ludwig Guttman, an eminent neurologist and Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany. Sport, and particularly competitive sport, was central to Guttman's rehabilitation
process for those who had previously been thought of as hopeless cripples. Soon Stoke Mandeville was running national competitions against other hospitals and clubs,
the first of which, in 1948, coincided with the opening day of the Olympic Games in London. From 1952 the Games grew with each celebration and were staged in Olympic
years. In 1960, at Rome, there were 23 competing nations and 400 athletes; in 1992, at Barcelona, there were 82 competing nations with 3,500 athletes. The first
true parallel with the Olympic Games took place in 1988 at Seoul where the athletes had a paralympic village and used Olympic sites for competition. Track events
include 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 800 m, 1,500 m, 5,000 m, and 10,000 m; and also the 4 by 100 and 4 by 400 relay. The field events are discus, javelin, shot, high jump,
and long jump. Sports and games include archery, basketball, boccia, bowling, cycling, equestrian events, fencing, goalball, judo, football, shooting, swimming, table
tennis, tennis, volleyball, and weight/power lifting. Winter paralympics were first held in 1976, and events include Alpine and Nordic skiing, ice-sledge hockey, and
ice-sledge racing. Biathlon is also a winter sport for the blind as well as those with other disabilities. Modern technology has much enlarged the range of possible
activities. For instance, for the biathlon a laser within the gunsight is linked with a machine which emits a series of tones depending on the section of the target
covered. Highly manoeuvrable wheelchairs enable players to move swiftly in table tennis and basketball. The achievements of the disabled in sport and games are
remarkable and moving; a triumph of mind, spirit, and character over the gravest handicaps.





BOCCIA
Boccia is CPSA-BC?s fastest growing sport, Italian in origin, but similar to
indoor lawn bowling. Playing individually or in teams, this game has been adapted for those with mobility impairments. It is suitable for severely physically disabled athletes and senior citizens. Boccia provides athletic therapy through coordination movements, practicing grasp and release techniques, arm and limb movements, and mental thought. It is a sport that can be integrated with able-bodied individuals in a school, rehabilitation center, o home environment. Boccia is a paralympic sport offered at regional, national and international meets. The rules are easy to understand and scoring is similar to that of lawn bowling or curling. Have fun and enjoy this exciting gam In the early 1980?s, the Europeans had a large number of disabled athletes that were not able to take advantage of sports like: track and field, swimming, weight-lifting, cycling, and equestrian, because a great number of these
athletes had poor balance, poor muscle tone, and spastic movements.
Fortunately, the Europeans came up with a high pro Everyone is welcome to participate in Boccia. There are a large number of athletes competing at a variety of different levels, including; Recreational, regional, National, and the International level, which is reserved for those athletes who achieve an elite level. There are a number of clubs and competitions in B.C., as well as the rest of Canada. So, join a club today, and start participating!! There are various classes of athletes, which make competition fair for all participants, no matter how severe their disability is. Boccia athletes in B.C. are divided into three different classifications:

Class 1- CP1

� Very Poor balance, but better control than CP1 WAD.
� Poor function of strength and control.
� Can hold a ball in hand, and has the range of motion to consistently
propel a Boccia ball into the court.

Class 2 ? CP2

� Balance is questionable.
� Has a capability to rotate trunk.
� Can pick up their own balls, and hold them with little difficulty.
� Can propel wheelchair with upper extremities, and the active range of motion
is moderate, rather than severe.
� Lower extremities may also be used to propel the wheelchair backwards.

Boccia can be played by a wide variety of disabled individuals, who might not
fit into the above classifications, but are still able to participate. These
participants are encouraged to compete at a recreational and social level, and
will be competing against various new and already established clubs and
members. These individuals are encouraged to participate, no matter what their
disability is.

The Cerebral Palsy Sports Association of British Columbia is always looking
for volunteer coaches, and support staff to assist our Boccia athletes. If you
are interested contact the CPSA-BC head office.

With the development of a National Boccia Coaching Manual in progress, we anticipate a Coaches Workshop in the very near future, and hope that this will continue on regular basis, once the manual is completed. This manual will help develop and establish Boccia coaches in British Columbia, an will give a number of athlete the opportunity to learn mor about their sport and th specific techniques and skill that they can work on If you have any questio regarding Coaching, plea contact the CPSA-BC hea office.

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