How does cerebral palsy affect people?

Cerebral palsy can affect a person’s posture, balance and ability to move, communicate, eat, sleep and learn.The parts of the body affected by cerebral palsy, the level of severity and combination of symptoms can differ for each person. For example, one person may have a weakness in one hand and find tasks like writing or tying shoelaces challenging. While another person may have little or no control over their movements or speech and require 24 hour assistance.

People with cerebral palsy may experience uncontrolled or unpredictable movements, muscles can be stiff, weak or tight and in some cases people have shaky movements or tremors. People with severe cerebral palsy may also have difficulties with swallowing, breathing, head and neck control, bladder and bowel control, eating and have dental and digestive problems.