Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move and to

maintain balance and posture. The disorders appear in the first few years of life. Usually they do
not get worse over time. People with cerebral palsy may have difficulty walking. They may also
have trouble with tasks such as writing or using scissors. Some have other medical conditions,
including seizure disorders or mental impairment.
Cerebral palsy happens when the areas of the brain that control movement and posture do
not develop correctly or get damaged. Early signs of cerebral palsy usually appear before 3 years
of age. Babies with cerebral palsy are often slow to roll over, sit, crawl, smile, or walk. Some
babies are born with cerebral palsy; others get it after they are born.
There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but treatment can improve the lives of those who have
it. Treatment includes medicines, braces, and physical, occupational and speech therapy.
Kids and adults with certain severe disabilities can feel trapped in their bodies and unable
to communicate. But, advanced computer technology is opening up a new world for disabled
students in the Canyons School District.
It's true that computers open up a world of creativity and accessibility for all of us. But,
for those who cannot use their hands or even words - the severely disabled - their eyes are the
key to unlocking their future.
7-year-old Angel Danis is eager to play and learn on her computer at the Jordan Valley
School. The special electrodes of the Eagle Eyes system placed around her eyes let her do that by
measuring the muscle movements in her eyes.
When the lights are dimmed, Angel controls the cursor on screen, and starts to paint.
"Between the motherboard and the electrodes, it converts the electrical signal of the eye
into a mouse cursor-slash-joy stick," said Angels Mom, Not only can she paint, she can shoot
down aliens. She can also apply those eye movement skills to access all kinds of educational
opportunities.
"These kids are absolutely incredible. I believe they are here for the rest of us to learn to
be more patient, loving, kind, giving, sharing," Inkley said.
Students from Cottonwood High School have embraced Eagle Eyes as a fundraiser, and
watched the demonstration today.
"To see these kids and the amazing things they're doing, and the amount of effort they're
putting in to it, it really humbles me," said Parents who once thought their kids were imprisoned
in their own bodies are excited and reaching out into the world around them.
"It's just been amazing to watch how she has developed a personality because she's been
able to get out of her body," said Freyja Robison, parent of another disabled student.
Smith was born in 1921 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He suffered from severe spastic
cerebral palsy from an early age. The loss of fine motor control of his face and hands made it
impossible for him to attend schoolor even eat, clothe, or bathe himselfand also made it
difficult for him to express himself.
Early in life Paul discovered the typewriter and a technique for using it to create pictures.
He was able to use one hand to steady the other and thus press the desired key. He was creating
typewriter art by the age of 15 and steadily refined his technique.
Maysoon Zayid is another person with Cerebral Palsy who has done many amazing
things. She is an American actress and a comedian. Zayid suffers from Cerebral Palsy.
Throughout her childhood she had always wished to be actress despite her disability. Zayid
attended Arizona State University and attained a Bachelors of Arts in Acting.

Zayid is one of the first Muslim women to become a comedian in America and perform
in Palestine and Jordan. Zayid is the co-founder and co-executive producer iof the New York
Arab Comedy Festival. Because of Zayid's hard work the festival has been able to continue on
for over eight years now. Because women comedians are so rare in Palestine, Zayid is one of
many few.
Maysoon Zayid has appeared on many television series throughout her career such as
Comedy Central's Watch List, PBS's America at a Crossroads: Muslim Comics Stand Up, CNN,
HBO, As The World Turns, Law & Order, MTV, and many more. Zayid was also the headliner
on the Arabs Gone Wild Comedy Tour and The Muslims Are Coming Tour.
Although Zayid is busy with her career she takes three months out of every year to spend
in Palestine. There she is the founder of Maysoon's Kids. A scholarship set up by Zayid that is
also a wellness program for disabled and wounded refugee children.
Playing football in a Challenger League and following his favorite team, the Carolina
Panthers, has helped a North Carolina teen with cerebral palsy walk tall, even though he uses a
wheelchair and crutches to get around.
Austin Smith, 13, plays quarterback for his team in the Challenger League, where he has
been a fixture for five years. A huge fan of Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, Austin plans on
attending every Carolina Panthers home game this season.
Football has had a profound impact on Austin, his mother, Tracy Smith, says. "His whole
demeanor went from, 'Oh, woe is me,' to, 'I can do this! I can lead. I can, you know, be in
charge.'''
She added: "Austin loves football because it just gives him a confidence that there's no
limit to what he can do."
After having surgery in November 2013, Austin missed a chance to meet his idol.
Newton visited the hospital where Austin was recuperating, but Austin was in too much pain to
meet him. But as part of the NFL's "Together We Make Football" series on TODAY, Austin
finally got to shake hands with his hero.
I chose this subject because of my personal experience with it. I have a 19-year-old
brother that was born with Cerebral Palsy so I have been around it all of my life. I wanted to
learn more about it and understand it more. It does have its challenges from day to day. I get to
see firsthand everyday what my brothers goes through along as my parents and me as a sibling.
We have gotten to do many fun things with my brother throughout our lives so it has been an
adventure to live with my brother and to make sure he has no limits when living with CP.