In the U.S., 176,000 Americans with cerebral palsy will find the assistance they need from United Cerebral Palsy. This national organization has a large network of affiliates that provide services like technology devices, housing, therapy, early intervention programs, family support, social/recreation programs, community living, employment assistance and more. Raising a cerebral palsy child can be challenging without all the right financial and community resources, so families should visit www.ucp.org to understand more about what the organization does.

United Cerebral Palsy was founded in 1949 to "advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network." Their Washington D.C. headquarters concentrates on fundraising, marketing, policy recommendations and offering support for families. In the forties, there weren't many available resources to help children with cerebral palsy. Leonard Goldenson, president of United Paramount Theaters/ABC Television and his wife Isabelle collaborated with Jack and Ethel Hausman to find people interested in helping them expand the network of support services for their disabled children. Together, they placed an ad in the New York Times to recruit others interested in helping expand the services offered. Soon they expanded, with the help of generous partnerships and donors, opening offices all around the country. Today, UCP is one of the largest health charities in America.

Health and wellness is an area that United Cerebral Palsy focuses on. Many children with CP encounter dental problems, so parents can learn how to keep their child's smile beautiful and healthy. They can also learn about Medicare, new medicines available in cerebral palsy treatment, how to promote healthy development for kids with disabilities and how to determine healthy eating and exercise for special needs kids. Parents will find news articles on therapy options, as well as new publications designed to teach special needs children about sexual education topics. Health insurance guides are also available to help parents afford the best care for their children.

United Cerebral Palsy offers an empowering website that helps parents and children learn more about treatment for cerebral palsy and what is possible, despite the disability. Back in the forties, children with CP had limited opportunities. They struggled to learn, without special education programs developed just for them, and they lived their entire lives coddled by caregivers or in group homes. Today people with CP work in fields like accounting, administration, legal, music, art, education, research, advocacy, web design, computers and fundraising. The "Employment" tab at www.ucp.org can help parents and children begin to look toward the future, which can be a very positive experience.

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