Cerebral Palsy Research Network - CPRN

02/20/2026

CP Awareness Month is almost here, and it’s the perfect time to grab your CPRN merch! Every purchase helps fuel research, education, and a stronger, more connected cerebral palsy community.

We are community powered — working together to advance knowledge, share lived experiences, and improve wellbeing for people with CP everywhere.

Wear it. Share it. Support the mission.

🛍️ Shop: https://cprn.myspreadshop.com/all
💚 Donate: https://cprn.org/donate/

ID: A green-themed Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month promotional graphic featuring CPRN merchandise, including two green T-shirts with the message “We Are Community-Powered: Research, Educate, Improve Wellbeing,” a white CPRN mug, and a gray CPRN logo hat. Bold text reads “Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month” with a “Shop Our Merch” call-to-action button at the bottom, set against a modern green grid background with abstract accents.

02/19/2026

🖤 Black History Month Spotlight: Imani Barbarin

Imani Barbarin is a nationally recognized disability rights advocate, writer, and speaker whose work sits at the powerful intersection of race, disability, and social justice. She goes by "Crutches and Spice" on many of her platforms.

As a Black disabled woman with cerebral palsy, Imani challenges ableism, racism, and harmful narratives through education, humor, and unapologetic truth. This Black History Month, we celebrate Imani's authentic voice in advocating for disabled individuals.

02/19/2026

Join us this evening!

📣 Upcoming Webinar: Adult CP Healthcare Survey Results
Join Dr. Ed Hurvitz, Dr. Cristina Sarmiento, and CP Research Network CEO Paul Gross on Thursday, February 19 at 8 pm ET as they share insights from our recent healthcare satisfaction study.
A total of 175 adults participated, offering valuable perspectives on their experiences with primary care physicians and cerebral palsy focused specialties. During this webinar, we will review what we learned, highlight key themes, and discuss what these findings mean for improving care across the CP community.
🗓 Thursday, February 19
🕗 8 pm ET
🔗 Register today: https://cprn.org/mycp-webinar-on-adult-healthcare.../

📣 Upcoming Webinar: Adult CP Healthcare Survey Results

Join Dr. Ed Hurvitz, Dr. Cristina Sarmiento, and CP Research Network CEO Paul Gross on Thursday, February 19 at 8 pm ET as they share insights from our recent healthcare satisfaction study.

A total of 175 adults participated, offering valuable perspectives on their experiences with primary care physicians and cerebral palsy focused specialties. During this webinar, we will review what we learned, highlight key themes, and discuss what these findings mean for improving care across the CP community.

🗓 Thursday, February 19
🕗 8 pm ET
🔗 Register today: https://cprn.org/mycp-webinar-on-adult-healthcare-satisfaction/

02/18/2026

How do we spread awareness? By sharing life experiences! Our photo contest has some of the best authentic community photos illustrating life with cerebral palsy. 📸 💚

We are giving away a total of $1500 dollars in prizes for the best photos in 4 different categories!

Enter now and share your photos and stories: https://cprn.org/photo-contest/

02/17/2026

Fresh Merch for 2026! Buy your CP tshirts and gear in time for March--CP Awareness Month 💚

Every purchase from the CPRN merch shop helps power our work and your connection to it!

Our values: We are community powered! Our community members work with us to develop, advance and share research and education materials to improve the wellbeing of all people with CP!

Wear it. Share it. Support the mission.

🛍️ Shop now: https://cprn.myspreadshop.com/all or make your donation today: https://cprn.org/donate/

02/16/2026

🌟 Community Action Committee Spotlight 🌟

Meet Alena Skinner! Alena is a 18-year-old senior at Century High School who is also taking Post Secondary Enrollment classes at Rochester Community and Technical College.

Through her involvement in 4-H, Alena created a podcast called I Can Totally Do That! — a platform dedicated to sharing stories from people with disabilities about their careers and lives, helping educate others and challenge assumptions about what’s possible.

We love seeing young leaders like Alena using their voices to create connection, awareness, and opportunity in our community. 💚

ID: A green and white CP Research Network “Meet Our Team” graphic featuring Alena Skinner, an 18-year-old student and creator of the podcast I Can Totally Do That! The design highlights her work sharing stories of people with disabilities and includes the CP Research Network logo with a vertical “Meet Our Team” banner.

02/13/2026

📣 Upcoming Webinar: Adult CP Healthcare Survey Results

Join Dr. Ed Hurvitz, Dr. Cristina Sarmiento, and CP Research Network CEO Paul Gross on Thursday, February 19 at 8 pm ET as they share insights from our recent healthcare satisfaction study.

A total of 175 adults participated, offering valuable perspectives on their experiences with primary care physicians and cerebral palsy focused specialties. During this webinar, we will review what we learned, highlight key themes, and discuss what these findings mean for improving care across the CP community.

🗓 Thursday, February 19
🕗 8 pm ET
🔗 Register today: https://cprn.org/mycp-webinar-on-adult-healthcare-satisfaction/

02/11/2026

📸 Our Annual Photo Contest is BACK for 2026! 📸

We’re excited to launch the 2026 Cerebral Palsy Awareness Photo Contest, inviting individuals across the CP community to share their lived experiences through powerful photos and personal stories. This year, the contest is paired with a community fundraiser, creating even more opportunities to raise awareness and support meaningful research.

By submitting a photo and sharing your story, you help amplify voices across the community. During the contest, you can invite friends, family, and supporters to vote for your photo and, if they choose, donate to the Cerebral Palsy Research Network. You may also participate in the fundraiser on its own, whatever feels right for you. Every story shared and every dollar raised help support research and improve the health and well-being of people with cerebral palsy. 💚

🏆 $1,500 in prizes
✨ Winning photos featured in CPRN communications and resources

📅 Submissions open now through March 10, 2026
👉 Submit your photos: https://cprn.org/photo-contest/

March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, and this is your chance to make a difference. Whether you enter the photo contest, take part in the fundraiser, or do both, sharing your story helps move research forward, educates people about living life with CP, and strengthens our community.

ID: Graphic promoting the Cerebral Palsy Research Network’s annual Photo Contest. Three photos across the top show smiling individuals in community settings, including someone signing books at a table, a child in a wheelchair wearing a blue sports jersey in a gym, and a hockey fan standing near rink boards. A green badge reads “Now Open,” with large text below that says “Join Us For Our Annual Photo Contest!” Additional text notes eligibility through MyCP membership, the Cerebral Palsy Research Network logo appears at the bottom, and a badge highlights a “Best Overall $500” prize.

02/09/2026

We are excited to partner with Hope for HIE Foundation - Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy to improve research, care, and treatment for babies with HIE by adding information shared by families, along with details from pregnancy, birth, and NICU stays, into our cerebral palsy registry.

02/05/2026

✨ Black History Month Spotlight ✨

Today, we honor Keah Brown, an author, journalist, and disability rights activist who has reshaped how disability and beauty are seen in media and culture.

Keah is the creator of the viral movement and the author of The Pretty One. As one of the most visible Black women with cerebral palsy in publishing and pop culture, she continues to challenge stereotypes, amplify disabled voices, and inspire confidence, joy, and self-advocacy around the world.

This Black History Month, we celebrate Keah Brown’s impact and her powerful reminder that representation matters.

ID: A Black History Month spotlight graphic from the Cerebral Palsy Research Network featuring Keah Brown. She is smiling while seated on a wooden bench outdoors, wearing glasses and a light gray sweater, with greenery in the background. The graphic includes green design elements, the CPRN logo, and text identifying her as an author, journalist, and disability rights activist.

01/30/2026

| People with Disabilities are the World’s Largest Minority

At any point in a lifetime, anyone may become disabled. Advocate to protect the rights of citizens with disabilities! Call your representatives today and ask them how they are supporting people with disabilities in your district, state, or nationally. Part of your right as a citizen and voter is to be heard and counted.

You aren’t disturbing their day; this IS their day!

Here are more facts from the United Nations: www.un.org/disabilities/documents/toolaction/pwdfs.pdf

ID: A graphic with a green lightbulb icon and the hashtag . Text reads, “People with Disabilities are the World’s Largest Minority,” followed by a short message encouraging advocacy and making your voice heard. The CP Research Network logo appears at the bottom.

01/29/2026

💬 : We asked you: "What’s one small thing that makes a big difference in daily life with CP?"

You showed up with honest, thoughtful responses, sharing the tools, routines, and small acts of kindness that help make their everyday life a little easier.

At the Cerebral Palsy Research Network, your lived experience matters. When we listen to one another, we learn, we adapt, and we move forward together.

💚 Thank you to everyone who shared and continues to . Your voice helps strengthen our community and shape a better future for people with CP.

ID: Graphic with the question, “What’s one small thing that makes a big difference in daily life with CP?” alongside text thanking the community for sharing their experiences and voices.