Cerebral Palsy or paralysis of the brain means a group of specific motor problems, not a disease, and is characterized by a disorder of the muscle functions. This is caused by brain damage before, during or after birth, up to around 2 years after birth.  It is the most common cause of children not being able to walk well and other movement may be diffi-cult as well. Diagnosis  made through a movement analysis is needed for many of these children.

When the brain is damaged this is irreversible.  Brain damage has a great influence on the development of muscles and bones. Although many children show a too low tension of the muscles, most show, while moving, a steady  increase of uncontrolled tension of the mus-cles, called hypertony and spasicity.  This continuous tension of the muscles causes physical difficulties in movement during growth. Cerebral palsy can occur in various de-grees: some people are hardly affected, they will experience minor slackness of the mus-cles or they may just walk on the tip of their toes but others will be severely restricted and will need help and care for the rest of their live.

The definition of a restriction of the motor system is: the inability of the signal, coming from the brain, to reach the muscle and start a contraction. Which means paralysis because the central nervous system, the nerves and the motor function are affected.

 

These paralyses are subdivided into:

       a complete paralysis

       a non-complete paralysis

       Monoplegy: one body part is paralysed, usually an arm.

       Hemiplegy: a complete half-sided paralysis

       Triplegy: one part of the body is not paralysed

       quatrplegy: both arms and legs are paralysed

       paraplegy: upper or lower body is paralysed

 

Other forms are:

       Athetoses of distonia:

          the muscles tension varies. Slow, spasmodic or twitching

          movements of the body or limbs cause involuntary motion.

       Ataxia:

          is characterized by defective balance and poor coordination.

 

There are mixtures of disabilities:

Cerebral Palsy or brain paralysis often occurs together with other problems.

the most frequent are:

       Epilepsy

       problems with feeding like problems with sucking, swallowing,

          chewing.

       language and speaking problems

       problems with vision like squinting or a central visual impaird

       impaired sense of pain or feeling

       incontinence

       impaired intelectual development, learning difficulties,

          intelectual disbilities.

A new-born child reacts to stimuli with primitive reflexes. These are automatic, stereo-typed movements caused by the brainstem, the autonomous nervous system. These reflexes need to control the functions necessary to survive in the first few months after birth. The also form a “training area” for many aspects needed to function properly later on. While growing and developing in the first 6 months of life the central nervous sys-tem develops as well.

The peripheral nervous system will take over from the primitive reflexes. Early survival patterns will be controlled by the brain and a more complex pattern of reaction devel-ops, the postural reflexes.

The postural reflexes are directed by the small brain, which registers and processes every movement. When the postural reflexes take over from the primitive reflexes the child begins to be able to control its body and movements.

Most people with a cerebral paralyses will never quite make the change from primitive to postural reflexes. Especially the moro reflex, the spinal gallant reflex and the asym-metrical neck reflex appear to be there partially, which is why their movements will re-main involuntary and uncontrolled.

We have to consider that each human being is unique and therefore these teaching tips are only suggested guidelines. Each judoka must be considered individually and more information can be obtained by parents or physician’s who treat the judoka.

It’s also convenient to observe the judoka you can use a SMART schedule, after the observation is wise to make a FITT planning in cooperation with the treating physician.

 

       Work one-on-one and in small groups if this is possible if not create

          a space where you can adapt activities and environment to permit

          safe participation.

       Judokas with cerebral palsy may need more time to plan and

          execute basic movements.

       Reduce long conversations during practicing judo and focus on

          the activity (games)

       When you use materials make sure that this allows the hand get

          grip to improve the hand grasp reflex.

       Teach tapping or touching activities with an open hand

       Exaggerated hand grasp reflexes may make release difficult or

          impossible so integrate relaxation training into the lessons.

          Slow, static movements sitting or laying on the tatami are great

          for introducing relaxation exercises.

          Use in the beginning adapted yoga and tai-chi posters.

       Provide elbow and knee pads for those who fall or rollover easily.

       Start working from a sitting position and work you way up till

          kneeling, crawling, support standing, support walking, stand alone,

          walk by your shelf.

       Avoid always quick, jerking or jumping activities and avoid

          tiptoeing when calf muscles are tight, adjust to the tempo of

          the judoka.

A gifted stand-up comedian and talented U.S. Paralympic soccer player, Josh Blue refuses to bow to any of the challenges that come from living with cerebral palsy. He jokes, "I realize that people are going to stare so I want to give them something to stare at." He uses his self-deprecating sense of humor to defy stereotypes and encourage others to overcome their pre-conceived notions about disabled people.

 

Blue - who was born in Cameroon, West Africa, and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota - got his start in comedy while pursuing a B.A. degree in creative writing from Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA.

 

In addition to guest-starring on Comedy Central's "Mind of Mencia," Blue has been making audiences laugh in top comedy clubs, theaters, colleges campuses and corporate events all over the country. At the 2004 Las Vegas Comedy Festival, he won the $10,000 Grand Prize at the Royal Flush Comedy Competition. In 2005, he earned rave reviews on the college circuit and a nomination for "Best Diversity Event of 2006."

 

Describing his comedy as "spastic and engaging," Blue wanted to be on "Last Comic Standing" to "make people aware of the fact that people with disabilities can make an impact."

 

In addition to being a stand-up comic, Blue is also a U.S. Paralympic soccer player, and he participated in the 2004 Paralympic Games that took place in Athens, Greece. The Paralympics, held two weeks after the Olympics, are the world's second largest sporting event.

See his act here                    Source NBC News read the complete article

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