Several reports have shown that there are thousands of cerebral palsy (CP) cases in the Philippines. According to the Centers for Disease and Prevention, CP “is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture and is also the most common motor disability in childhood.”
In an effort to raise awareness about this illness, leadership development organization JCI Manila had launched a three-series book that would help more people understand the condition and provide support for families of those born with it.
The three books, written by Kimberly Pauig and illustrated by Yvan Limson, were launched during a symposium hosted by JCI Manila at the San Andres Sports Complex last April 26, 2023.
The first book, titled “Ang Kapa ni Rafa,” focuses on raising awareness about cerebral palsy and showcases the daily life of a patient. Meanwhile, the second book “Bakit Mahilig sa Dagat si Nanay?” is told from the perspective of the families of patients and the third one, “Pupunta sa Dagat si Rafa,” narrates how it takes a village and a lot of compassion to help provide the best life cerebral palsy patients can have.
These easy-read three-series books are co-created with Dr. Pablo Beleen, a renowned international specialist in the treatment of cerebral palsy and pediatric rehabilitation, and CP Cares, an empowered CP community composed of patients (CP Warriors) and their families.
In an interview with Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, Bobbit Castro, JCI-Manila CPAG chairman, said that selected CP patients and their families from the city of Manila will receive copies of the books. The books will also be distributed to their partner schools and organizations namely The Vanguard Academy and Metropolitan Medical Center, University of Perpetual Help, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and Universidad de Manila, to widen the reach of information about CP.
JCI Manila's Cerebral Palsy Awareness Group Committee members together with (2nd from Left) Dr. Pablo Beleen, CP specialist and pediatric rehabilitation Doctor Yvan Limsoneen, CP book Iillustrator Kimberly Pauig, CP book writer Dr. Alexi.
“The main objectives of this event are for CP warriors (patients) and their families to have access to relevant medical practices and practitioners through the publication of a book highlighting the Bobath Approach,” he said.
Bobath is a physiotherapy treatment that aims to improve movement and mobility in patients with damage to their central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Many physiotherapists use Bobath in the rehabilitation of patients with cerebral palsy.
“We’d like to thank JCI Manila and our panelist doctors for doing this in the City of Manila,” said Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto. “Increased awareness about cerebral palsy is very important because it helps improve the quality of life of our CP warriors.”
JCI Manila has been supporting the advocacy for increased cerebral palsy awareness through its own Project-CPAG (Cerebral Palsy Awareness Group) under the Golden Heart initiative since 2015.