March Is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
- Carol Boynton, MS
- Mar 7
- 3 min read
Why My Daughters Celebrate — and Why Awareness Matters💚
Every March, our home glows a little greener. Green is the color of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month — a time dedicated to education, visibility, advocacy, and celebration. Yes, celebration.
Because while cerebral palsy comes with challenges, it also comes with strength, perspective, resilience, and a story worth telling.
And my daughters proudly tell theirs.
What Is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological condition that affects movement, muscle tone, and coordination. It is caused by damage to the developing brain, often before or during birth.
CP is not contagious. It is not progressive (it does not worsen over time). And it does not define a person’s intelligence, personality, or potential.
Every individual with cerebral palsy is different. Some use wheelchairs. Some wear leg braces. Some need assistance. Some are fiercely independent. Most are a combination of both.
My daughters live that beautifully.
Why Awareness Matters
Awareness does three powerful things:
1. It Educatesđź’š
When people understand cerebral palsy, they stop assuming and start asking. They learn that mobility differences are not limitations of ability. They learn that inclusion matters. They learn that accessibility is not a favor — it’s a right.
2. It Builds Confidenceđź’š
When children see others who look like them in books, media, and classrooms, something shifts inside them. They feel seen. They feel normal. They feel powerful. That’s one reason I write the Nikki and Jazzy books — because representation matters.
3. It Breaks Stigmađź’š
Disability is not something to whisper about. It is not something to hide.
When we celebrate awareness, we shift from sympathy to strength.
Why My Daughters Celebrate
My daughters don’t see March as a reminder of struggle.
They see it as:
• A reminder of how far they’ve come
• A reminder of their voice
• A reminder that their story matters
💚They celebrate because cerebral palsy is part of their identity — but not their whole identity.
đź’šThey celebrate because they have learned to advocate for themselves.
đź’šThey celebrate because they want other children with CP to feel proud, not small.
đź’šAnd as their mother, I celebrate because I have watched resilience grow in real time.
Living With Cerebral Palsy: The Reality
There are doctor appointments. Physical and Occupational therapy sessions. Adaptive equipment. Moments of frustration. Moments of fatigue.
But there is also:
đź’šLaughter. đź’šDance. đź’šCreativity.đź’šAdvocacy. đź’šLeadership.
There is courage.
There is growth.
There is joy.
And that deserves recognition.
What You Can Do During Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
You don’t have to have CP to support awareness.
Here are simple ways to participate:
Wear green and share why it matters
Teach your children about inclusion
Support businesses and creators with disabilities
Read inclusive books
Ask respectful questions instead of making assumptions
Advocate for accessibility in your community
Awareness begins with conversation.
From Awareness to Legacy
For me, this month is deeply personal.
It is a reminder that service is my foundation — and advocacy is part of that service.
It is a reminder that my daughters are not just navigating life — they are shaping it for others.
And it is a reminder that our stories matter.
Not for sympathy. But for impact.
A Final Reflection
If you are a parent raising a child with unique needs, I see you.
If you are someone living with cerebral palsy, your strength is not invisible.
If you are learning, listening, and growing — thank you.
March is about awareness.
But every month is about inclusion.
đź’š
đź’šAbout the Author
Carol Boynton, MS, is the heart behind The Boynton Blueprint™—a space for growth, advocacy, and empowered living. She helps caregivers and parents navigate change with confidence, compassion, and clarity.
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