Today is World CP Day! This year’s theme is “Make Your Mark”, in recognition of the many ways that people with cerebral palsy (CP) deal with change, break down barriers, and come up with creative solutions, whether it be as a result of COVID-19 or in everyday life.
In light of this theme, we wanted to highlight the amazing work done by some of our CHILD-BRIGHT Network members with CP! Read on to find out how three of our members “made their mark” this year.
How Kent Cadogan Loftsgard Made His Mark
Pictured: Kent Cadogan Loftsgard, CHILD-BRIGHT Patient-Partner and Training Committee Member
Caring early-childhood treatment for congenital cerebral palsy and pediatric asthma at the BC Children’s Hospital taught Kent more by demonstration than by declaration about the very same positive principles of patient-centered practice that CHILD-BRIGHT promotes. Exemplary interdisciplinary teams inspired Kent to put health care at the center of much of his professional life. Trained in paramedicine as a teenager, and later in health specialty broadcast/print journalism, communications production, and publishing, Kent now combines his diverse experience in clinical education and health research to complement the collaborative work of CHILD-BRIGHT. He recently led a training session presented by the 2020 CHILD-BRIGHT Summer Studentship Program.
In response to the lesser-known but ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kent also made his mark earlier this year by speaking up on behalf of home and community care staff whose integral role in the health care system has too often been left underreported. In a requested submission to the Strategy For Patient-Oriented Research Evidence Alliance newsletter, Kent wrote:
“The full spectrum of all health care heroes whose diligent determination to persistently honor their professional pledge, by putting themselves at reasonable risk for the good of patients and the public, definitely deserve to be more routinely recognized.”
Read Kent’s call to remember the ‘rear guard’ of health care here.
How Lena Faust Made Her Mark
Pictured: Lena Faust speaking at an elementary school in recognition of World CP Day 2019
Lena Faust is a member of our National Youth Advisory Panel. She is a PhD student at McGill University and the McGill International Tuberculosis Centre. On World CP Day last year, Lena led a talk during a day of learning about cerebral palsy at an elementary school in the Montreal area. This year, in the spirit of #CPMoveAsOne, an initiative by the World CP Day organization in partnership with the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) to promote the benefits of sport and physical activity on the quality of life for people with cerebral palsy, two children with CP at the school had planned to organize a walk for families in their community, especially those with CP. Unfortunately, this event was cancelled due to COVID-19, but they hope to be back in 2021!
How Gillian Backlin Made Her Mark
Pictured: NYAP member Gillian Backlin
Gillian Backlin is a writer and member of our National Youth Advisory Panel with CP who runs the blog and shop Spastic AND Fantastic. She wrote to us: “Over the last year, I have made it my goal to start embracing my disability as part, but not all of, who I am. Self-acceptance has always been something I’ve struggled with, but I am comforted knowing I don’t struggle alone. With that in mind, I figured that sharing my story might not only help me process my emotions, but it may also help comfort or even educate others; that’s how my blog and shop Spastic AND Fantastic came to be! That’s how I make my mark.”
If you or your family member lives with cerebral palsy, or if you are a researcher trying to impact the lives of those living with CP, we want to know: How do you “Make Your Mark”? Comment below to join the conversation!