SPONSOR:

Sen. Poore on behalf of all Senators & Rep. Longhurst on behalf of all Representatives

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

150th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 31

RECOGNIZING MARCH 28, 2019 AS CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS DAY.

WHEREAS, cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a group of non-progressive, non-contagious motor conditions that cause physical disability in human development; and

WHEREAS, cerebral palsy is caused by abnormal development of the brain or damage to the developing brain; and

WHEREAS, cerebral palsy is often accompanied by muscle stiffness and permanent contractions, severe pain, hearing and vision issues, and cognitive impairments; and

WHEREAS, each year, 10,000 babies are born with cerebral palsy, and 1,200 to 1,500 children reach school age before they are diagnosed; and

WHEREAS, 764,000 children and adults in the United States exhibit at least one symptom of cerebral palsy; and

WHEREAS, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability in childhood; and

WHEREAS, our own Rep. Longhurst’s niece, Meghan, lived with Cerebral Palsy for nearly 31 years; and

WHEREAS, the lifetime cost to care for an individual with cerebral palsy is $1 million; and

WHEREAS, diagnosing cerebral palsy at an early age is key to identifying appropriate treatment and services; and

WHEREAS, increasing public awareness of cerebral palsy and its symptoms is an important element in promoting early detection.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 150th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the State of Delaware recognizes March 28, 2019 as Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution recognizes March 28, 2019 as Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day.

Author: Senator Poore