Cerebral palsy is a life-long condition that affects body movement, balance and muscle control, coordination and tone. A result of damage to the brain during pregnancy or shortly after birth, cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in childhood.
The Steptember initiative encourages people worldwide to raise vital funds for those living with cerebral palsy by taking 10,000 steps for 28 days. “My CP [is] a challenge I need to overcome everyday,” says Ben Tudhope, who has lived with cerebral palsy his whole life. At 14-years-old, he represented Australia in para-snowboard cross at the 2014 Sochi Winter Paralympics. “When I was diagnosed they said I may not be able to walk and I’m just so lucky to be able to, as nearly half of people with CP can’t.”
Tudhope credits the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, who are behind the Steptember challenge, for helping him deal with his condition. “The Cerebral Palsy Alliance have been helping me since I was born and Steptember is a way that everybody can participate,” he says.
Step up and join teams from around the world in supporting this great cause.
To take on the Steptember challenge visit www.steptember.org.au.