Florida Senate - 2015                            (NP)    SR 1618
       
       
        
       By Senator Garcia
       
       
       
       
       
       38-02757-15                                           20151618__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing March 2015 as “Cerebral Palsy
    3         Awareness Month” in the State of Florida.
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, cerebral palsy is an incurable neurological
    6  condition that impairs a person’s ability to control his or her
    7  muscles, and
    8         WHEREAS, the onset of cerebral palsy occurs while a child’s
    9  brain is still developing, and cerebral palsy is the most common
   10  form of motor control disorder in children, affecting 1 of 330
   11  births in the United States, and
   12         WHEREAS, in approximately 90 percent of cases, the cause of
   13  cerebral palsy is congenital, but brain injury before birth or
   14  during labor and delivery, abnormal brain development,
   15  infection, or head injury caused by accident or abuse may also
   16  cause the disability, and
   17         WHEREAS, the most common early sign of cerebral palsy is
   18  delayed development of abilities such as rolling over, sitting,
   19  standing, and walking, and
   20         WHEREAS, as the disability further progresses, a child with
   21  cerebral palsy will be unable to clap, touch his or her mouth,
   22  or crawl on all fours, and
   23         WHEREAS, no cure exists for cerebral palsy and treatments
   24  focus on managing the disorder, optimizing the child’s
   25  potential, and preventing or correcting deformities, and
   26         WHEREAS, support groups, such as United Cerebral Palsy and
   27  Reaching for the Stars, are dedicated to promoting awareness of
   28  the needs of persons with cerebral palsy and advocating for
   29  their rights, and
   30         WHEREAS, cerebral palsy is a lifelong disorder that
   31  requires continued research to find treatment options to help
   32  those affected by it and to educate and raise awareness among
   33  families and loved ones, NOW, THEREFORE,
   34  
   35  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   36  
   37         That March 2015 is recognized as “Cerebral Palsy Awareness
   38  Month” in Florida, and all citizens are encouraged to
   39  acknowledge the necessity for continued research of the disorder
   40  and for understanding and support of individuals and their
   41  caregivers who are affected by the disability.