To mark the National Cerebral Palsy Day, a painting contest for children with the disorder was organised here on Thursday by Ganga Medical Centre and Hospitals, Rotary Coimbatore Central and Coimbatore Spastic Trust.
Around 50 children in the age group of 5 to 15 took part in the contest. All the participants were given prizes and a comprehensives health check-up was also performed for them. The Indian Academy of Cerebral Palsy had declared October 3 as National Cerebral Palsy Day. S. Rajasekaran, Chairman, Department of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Spine Surgery, Ganga Hospital, said that lack of awareness among parents was a major hurdle in treating children with cerebral palsy. Simple physiotherapy exercises and occupational therapy along with spasticity control measures would help these children to improve their walking abilities and integrate with the society.
Cerebral palsy was a neuro-developmental disorder. A majority of children with this disorder would suffer from physical and mental disabilities. In India, it is estimated that around 25 lakh children were suffering from cerebral palsy, he said.
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Following the painting contest, an awareness talk on cerebral palsy was also held at Ganga Hospital for the parents of the children.