Cerebral Palsy Research Network - CPRN

12/25/2025

Happy Holidays from the Cerebral Palsy Research Network.

Sending warm wishes for peace, rest, and meaningful moments with those you care about.

12/24/2025

Traveling with a wheelchair this holiday season? What’s one tip you swear by to make the journey easier?

ID: Green graphic with Join In logo asking for wheelchair travel tips during the holiday season.

12/23/2025

✈️ Tip Tuesday: Holiday Travel with a Wheelchair 🦽

Did you know? The Air Carrier Access Act prohibits discrimination based on disability in air travel. All new airplanes with 100+ seats must have a designated wheelchair storage closet in the cabin, measuring at least 13” x 36” x 42”. Here are a few tips to make your travel smoother:

✅ Let the airline know in advance the support you will need.
✅ Arrive early to ensure your wheelchair is properly stored and provide instructions on the chair, which tells people how to handle it.
✅ Know your rights – Assistive devices must not count against the passenger’s carry-on limit.

Consult your airline carrier or the US Department of Transportation for the most up-to-date information. → https://www.transportation.gov/.../passengers-disabilities

Safe and smooth travels this holiday season--and bring your patience!

ID: It features a pink background, with the words Tip Tuesday in pink, with the tip "Holiday Travel," a plane illustration, and the CPRN logo.

12/22/2025

Our research focuses on continuous learning and improving care and treatment across our network of participating hospitals that support people with CP.

Take a look at how we do it!

Together we are building a stronger, more informed future for the CP community. 💚

Please consider supporting our mission with a donation.

→ 🔗 https://cprn.org/donate/

ID: An infographic from the CP Research Network outlining an eight-step research process, from idea generation through published results and improved care, shown as a series of colorful arrows moving forward.

12/19/2025

💡

Did you know the Cerebral Palsy Research Network brings together 100+ clinicians and researchers working to advance care, treatment, and understanding of cerebral palsy? Even more powerful—our community participants help shape the direction of that research.

ID: This image highlights the number 100+ and includes photos of the founders, CP Research Network logo, and a green lightbulb.

12/18/2025

📖 Have you downloaded it yet?

The Adult Cerebral Palsy Toolkit is reaching adults with CP around the world! 🙌 Have you seen it yet?

✅ FREE digital download on our website
✅ Printed copy available for purchase on Amazon

This toolkit is filled with comprehensive health and self-advocacy information, practical insights, peer perspectives, and tools to support living life as an adult with CP.

We are grateful to our friends at Ipsen, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation, the Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center, and our many generous community and anonymous donors for making this resource possible and supporting its distribution.

Get your copy today! ⬇️
🔗 https://cprn.org/the-adult-cerebral-palsy-tool-kit/

12/17/2025

🎥 Missed yesterday’s webinar? You can watch the full recording now on YouTube!

Join CP Research Network co-founder Michele Shusterman alongside Mary Gannotti, PhD, Jensiné Clark, MD, and Cristina Sarmiento, MD for an in-depth conversation on the creation of the Adult CP Toolkit — the first comprehensive, evidence-based health resource designed specifically for adults living with cerebral palsy.

In this session, the team shares why this toolkit was created, how it came together, and how it can support adults with CP across the lifespan.

👉 Watch the full webinar on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mbp2bnWlVk

The Adult CP Toolkit is available to download for free on the CP Research Network website and is also available for purchase on Amazon.

Join CP Research Network co-founder Michele Shusterman and Mary Gannotti PhD, Jensiné Clark, MD and Cristina Sarmiento, MD, four leaders from the CP Research...

12/16/2025

🌟 | The Holidays Are Busy. Rest Matters More Than Ever. 🌟

We have 7 types of rest for you to consider this holiday season!

🛏 Physical Rest – Sleep, naps, gentle stretching
🧠 Mental Rest – Quiet breaks, journaling, pausing the mental noise
👀 Sensory Rest – Fewer screens, softer lights, peaceful moments
🎨 Creative Rest – Nature, music, or art that sparks joy
💬 Emotional Rest – Saying no, setting boundaries, being honest
🤝 Social Rest – Time with people who refill your cup
🙏 Spiritual Rest – Reflection, prayer, meditation, or community

These seven types of rest, created by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, remind us that caring for ourselves during the holidays isn’t selfish—it’s essential.

Between gatherings, travel, and to-do lists, it’s easy to forget that sleep is only one type of rest. True restoration supports your whole self, and the holidays are a perfect time to check in with what you really need.

✨ Learn more about supporting your health and wellbeing in our Adult CP Toolkit.

🔗 Download Today: https://cprn.org/our-toolkits/

ID: An infographic titled “7 Types of Rest” in green and cream tones with icons. It highlights Physical, Mental, Sensory, Creative, Emotional, Social, and Spiritual rest, with brief examples such as sleep, breaks, unplugging from screens, creativity, emotional honesty, supportive relationships, and meditation or community. Credit to Saundra Daulton Smith, with the Cerebral Palsy Research Network logo at the bottom.

12/15/2025

Reminder: Join us for our upcoming webinar, tomorrow, December 16th!

📣 Upcoming Webinar!

Join the Cerebral Palsy Research Network on December 16 at 8 pm ET for a deep dive into the brand-new Adult CP Toolkit — the first comprehensive, evidence-based health resource created specifically for adults living with CP.

Hear from CP Research Network leaders Michele Shusterman, Dr. Mary Gannotti, Dr. Jensiné Clark, and Dr. Cristina Sarmiento as they share how this 150-page guide came together, why it matters, and how it’s already empowering adults with CP across the country.

📘 Register for the Webinar: https://cprn.org/mycp-webinar-inside-the-making-of-the-first-adult-cp-toolkit/

📣 Upcoming Webinar!

Join the Cerebral Palsy Research Network on December 16 at 8 pm ET for a deep dive into the brand-new Adult CP Toolkit — the first comprehensive, evidence-based health resource created specifically for adults living with CP.

Hear from CP Research Network leaders Michele Shusterman, Dr. Mary Gannotti, Dr. Jensiné Clark, and Dr. Cristina Sarmiento as they share how this 150-page guide came together, why it matters, and how it’s already empowering adults with CP across the country.

📘 Register for the Webinar: https://cprn.org/mycp-webinar-inside-the-making-of-the-first-adult-cp-toolkit/

ID: A promotional graphic for a CP Research Network webinar. The top left features a bright green and pink “LIVE WEBINAR” badge. To the right is the cover of the Adult CP Toolkit: Navigating Life with Cerebral Palsy. The main text reads: Inside the Making of the First Adult CP Toolkit. Below is a brief description about the upcoming webinar and its speakers. At the bottom, the date and time are listed: Tuesday, December 16th — 8PM ET | 5PM PT, along with the CP Research Network logo.

12/12/2025

Join the movement, wear the cause! 💚

Shop our exclusive merch today and spread cerebral palsy awareness with style 👉https://cprn.myspreadshop.com/all

ID: Graphic promoting CP Research Network merchandise, featuring a hoodie, long-sleeve shirt, mug, and hat with the CPRN logo and “10 Years” branding, alongside the text “Shop Our Merch” and “Support CP Research.”

12/11/2025

📣 Upcoming Webinar!

Join the Cerebral Palsy Research Network on December 16 at 8 pm ET for a deep dive into the brand-new Adult CP Toolkit — the first comprehensive, evidence-based health resource created specifically for adults living with CP.

Hear from CP Research Network leaders Michele Shusterman, Dr. Mary Gannotti, Dr. Jensiné Clark, and Dr. Cristina Sarmiento as they share how this 150-page guide came together, why it matters, and how it’s already empowering adults with CP across the country.

📘 Register for the Webinar: https://cprn.org/mycp-webinar-inside-the-making-of-the-first-adult-cp-toolkit/

ID: A promotional graphic for a CP Research Network webinar. The top left features a bright green and pink “LIVE WEBINAR” badge. To the right is the cover of the Adult CP Toolkit: Navigating Life with Cerebral Palsy. The main text reads: Inside the Making of the First Adult CP Toolkit. Below is a brief description about the upcoming webinar and its speakers. At the bottom, the date and time are listed: Tuesday, December 16th — 8PM ET | 5PM PT, along with the CP Research Network logo.

12/09/2025

💚 : Preventing Falls with Cerebral Palsy

Falls are common for people with cerebral palsy — more than half of adults with CP who walk experience a fall each year. But there are stragies to help prevent falls!

✅ Tips to Help Prevent Falls:
• Track your falls: Keeping notes can help identify patterns and prevent future falls.
• Build strength & balance: Physical therapy and targeted exercises can improve stability.
• Modify your environment: Remove tripping hazards and make your space safer.
• Address the emotional side: Fear of falling can hold you back — support and education can rebuild confidence.

💡 Research from the Cerebral Palsy Research Network found that 86% of people with CP experience at least one fall per year, often on uneven surfaces or when tired. Proactive prevention can make a big difference!

📘 Learn more in our Adult Cerebral Palsy Toolkit: cprn.org/adult-cerebral-palsy-toolkit

ID: A Tip Tuesday graphic titled “Preventing Falls” lists tips on tracking falls, building strength and balance, addressing the emotional side, and removing hazards. The CP Research Network logo appears at the bottom.