The United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawai’i is extremely proud to be a part of the United Cerebral Palsy Association’s national effort to share information with people with disabilities as well as the public in general. We believe that raising awareness leads to increased hope, compassion and needed resources. We have authored or been featured in five national blogs with four more coming! Our topics feature research on topics that impact all people with disabilities as well as directly affecting people with cerebral palsy. UCPA Hawai’i has also launched our national survey studying the Impact of Aging with Cerebral Palsy—we have a response from Australia, so it truly is an international study! Please follow the links below to view the final published blogs. Mahalo for your support!

NEW BLOG POST: In honor of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, we’re elevating voices in the CP Community!

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy in childhood, Dr. Stephen Dantzig has dedicated his career to working with individuals with disabilities, beginning as a volunteer with children with severe autism. A school psychologist for nearly four decades in New York, New Jersey, California and Hawai’i, today he works as the education and outreach program manager at United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawai’i and serves on its board of directors.

UCP National sat down with Dr. Dantzig to learn more about his journey and what he hopes to accomplish in his role at UCP Association of Hawai’i. He opens up about his life with cerebral palsy, sharing what independence, accessibility and inclusion mean to him. From navigating daily challenges to finding professional fulfillment and community support, his story highlights both the progress made and the barriers that still exist for people with disabilities.

“Sixty years ago, I was a patient at a UCP clinic,” he said. “Now, I’m working to expand the organization’s reach in Hawai’i and maybe even across the entire UCP network.”

Read the story at https://ucp.org/get-up-your-bus-is-here-dr-stephen-dantzig-on-life-with-cerebral-palsy/

Aging with Cerebral Palsy: Realities, Challenges, and Hope (Part One)

Cerebral palsy doesn’t end with childhood — yet adult care, research, and support often do. Our latest blog dives into the lived experiences, healthcare gaps, mental health struggles, and the growing need for resources for people with CP as they age.

Read the full post and join us in shaping the future of CP care. If you or someone you know is aging with CP, we invite you to participate in a study led by our affiliate, United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii.

Read more: https://ucp.org/the-impact-of-aging-with-cerebral-palsy/

Mahalo Nick and United Cerebral Palsy for the great article “Aging With Cerebral Palsy: Health Challenges, Research, and Independence for Adults” (Part Two)

https://ucp.org/aging-with-cerebral-palsy-health-challenges-research-and-independence-for-adults/

We are very proud to be featured in this important blog series from the United Cerebral Palsy Association about sensory processing. UCPA Hawai’i’s own Stephen Dantzig, Psy.D. and Lesley Chow, OTR/L wrote the blogs! 

New Blog Series on UCP.org!

Have you ever wondered how the brain processes sights, sounds, movement, and touch — and what happens when it doesn’t work as expected?

This week on the My Life Without Limits blog, authors Stephen Dantzig and Lesley Chow cover sensory processing in two parts.

In Part 1, Sensory Processing Explained: How the Brain Interprets Information and Why It Matters, we break down the eight sensory systems and how sensory processing affects learning and development.

In Part 2, Sensory Processing Disorder: Who It Affects, How It’s Assessed, and Ways to Help, we explore who is impacted, how professionals assess SPD, and practical strategies parents, teachers, and therapists can use to support children.

This series will help you better understand sensory challenges and how to respond with knowledge and compassion.

Part 1: https://ucp.org/sensory-processing-explained-how-the-brain-interprets-information-and-why-it-matters/

Part 2: https://ucp.org/sensory-processing-disorder-who-it-affects-how-its-assessed-and-ways-to-help/

 

Friday, October 10th was World Mental Health Day. Mental health is an extremely important topic for all of us because each of goes through difficult times. It is crucial to acknowledge and get care for your own mental health concerns if needed. Mental health and access to care can be particularly challenging for those with disabilities. The United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawai’i is extremely proud to have partnered with The United Cerebral Palsy Association of America for a three-part blog series on mental health issues among people with disabilities. Please take a look and share! Please also remember, that EVERYBODY faces some mental health issues from time to time. It can feel extremely lonely, but you are NOT alone and there IS help available. Here are the links to all 3 parts: 

Part 1: https://ucp.org/mental-health-in-people-with-disabilities-understanding-the-challenges-and-risks/

Part 2: https://ucp.org/why-people-with-disabilities-face-higher-mental-health-risks-and-barriers-to-care/

Part 3: https://ucp.org/mental-health-support-for-people-with-disabilities-how-to-advocate-and-access-help/

 

 

The United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawai’i is proud to once again be represented in a blog on the United Cerebral Palsy national website! We address the issue of weight concerns as people age with cerebral palsy. It is not as straight-forward as might be expected because weight gain AND weight loss present unique challenges. Find out more here: https://ucp.org/weight-issues-in-people-with-cerebral-palsy-understanding-sarcopenia/. The blog also has a link to our study on the Impact of Aging with Cerebral Palsy study (that happens to ask about concerns with weight gain and weight loss). Please check it out! Mahalo!