National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week, 1-7 August 2010

Scope participated in a number of events throughout the week, highlighting the achievements of people with Cerebral Palsy.

Cerebral Palsy is the most common form of childhood disability, affecting about 34,000 Australians. The current annual financial cost of Cerebral Palsy is about $43,000 per person, with the cost to the individual estimated at 36.7% of the total – or $306 per week.

National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week highlights that with the right support people with Cerebral Palsy can and do reach their potential, despite the economic, physical and attitudinal barriers often faced.

To launch National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week, Westfield Doncaster and Scope hosted children living with a disability and their families to a day of luxury and excitement on Sunday 1st August. The mums were treated to a styling session with Westfield Doncaster fashion stylist Julia Allen followed by a pampering session. The kids enjoyed a Build-A-Bear Activity, making a present for their mums followed by lunch at Groove Train.

On Wednesday, four children living with a disability were fitted with walking frames through GoKids, the Children’s Mobility Advisory Service for Scope. They were kindly funded by The Shane Warne Foundation (TSWF), who donated $30,000 towards the walkers. Glenn Robbins, Board Member of TSWF was there to see the children receive their walkers on the day.

During the week the Hon. Bill Shorten, MP and Shaun Leane, Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region opened Scope’s Woodwork Shed at Scope’s Knox Lifestyle Options. The new Scope Woodwork Shed, generously funded by ConnectEast, the owner and operator of EastLink, will provide the starting point of a journey for people with a disability to gain confidence in participating in the activities and conversations of a Woodwork Shed.

The week came to a close with Finn, a Scope client who lives with Cerebral Palsy having the once in a lifetime opportunity of attending a training session at the Geelong Football Club.

Six-year-old Finn loves football. One of his dreams for many years has been to follow in his brother’s footsteps by playing Auskick. Up until this year Finn wasn’t able to participate in sports due to his condition. After travelling to Canada in 2008 for five weeks of intense physiotherapy, together with the support from Scope, Finn has built up his muscle strength to allow him to participate in sports, including Auskick. Finn loved watching training and meeting his favourite player Gary Ablett Junior (pictured above).