● In Australia, one in every 500 babies is born with cerebral palsy. That is one every 15 hours.
● The average cost to support a child with cerebral palsy is half the annual Australian salary, straining families.
● Funds raised through Steptember support cerebral palsy services and research not funded by the NDIS and that may be otherwise financially inaccessible for families.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a lifelong condition which affects one in every 500 births in Australia, that equates to one child every 15 hours being born with cerebral palsy . Three quarters of those living with the condition suffer in chronic pain and one in three is unable to walk.

After a baby arrives, the diagnosis of cerebral palsy and subsequent financial burden can be devastating for parents, as the average cost to support a child with CP is more than half the average Australian salary ($43,431). The Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA) uses funds raised through their annual Steptember initiative to help fund research into cerebral palsy. The money raised also provides families with services that would otherwise be financially inaccessible for them.

Lucy Jacka from Steptember said, “We simply couldn’t do what we do without our supporters and donors. Many people with cerebral palsy and their families require financial, physical and emotional support across a lifetime and some are amongst the most vulnerable in our community.”

“Fundraising helps ease the pressure on families and individuals by giving them access to support and services that may not otherwise be available to them.”

Steptember is a team-based 28-day fundraiser, which challenges team members to take the equivalent of 10,000 steps a day. The funds raised enable the CPA to provide scholarships to children for intensive therapy programs, essential equipment to help develop mobility and cognitive skills and vital early intervention for babies who are at risk of cerebral palsy.

Joseph (pictured) aged one, has been attending Cerebral Palsy Alliance since 2017, following his traumatic birth, seizures and abnormal brain MRI. He has been found to have spasticity (muscle tightness) in both legs and reduced fine motor skills in his left hand.

Lucy said, “Early diagnosis is imperative to get a child on the right path and thanks to funds raised through Steptember, the CPA has been able to help offer support and therapy to Joseph and his family.

“Our goal is to support children and families to allow them to live their best lives today through providing services and support programs that are not covered by the National Disability Insurance Scheme.”

Australians are encouraged to take part in Steptember and step-up to the challenge to raise the necessary funds to make life just a little easier for the 40,000 Australians living with cerebral palsy.