March is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. March 25th is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. Both are set aside to advance education, inclusion, and better support for the CP community.
We all have a role to play in awareness. This month is a chance to show up, learn, advocate, and help make the world a little more accessible for the more than 1 million people in the United States living with cerebral palsy. CP is often misunderstood, and awareness is one of the most meaningful contributions any of us can offer.
At Cionic, this month is especially personal. Our mission to superpower human mobility was inspired by our founder, Jeremiah Robison’s daughter, Sofia, and her journey with cerebral palsy. At a recent event, Sofia shared something about the power of collective action:
“It's always easier to fight with friends on your side… Sometimes it's lonely, and sometimes it feels like nobody cares,” she said. “But you all here tonight are proof that that isn't true... keep fighting, keep showing up, any way you can, it means the world.”
Showing up is what this month is about, and it’s the spirit we try to bring to everything we build at Cionic. There are practical steps we can all take together to raise awareness, support the CP community, and advocate for the access people with cerebral palsy need.
Highlighting Cerebral Palsy Awareness
Cerebral palsy is the most common lifelong physical disability. Despite that, many people with CP face real barriers in healthcare, education, and employment.
Research shows that 42% of children with CP and 59% of adults lack access to appropriate health services. The same data reflects the share of adults who don’t get regular specialist reviews as they get older.
When people with CP can’t access the care they need, the impact compounds over time. Greater awareness is one way to change that.
Wear Green and Share Your Story (#GoGreen4CP)
Green is the official color of Cerebral Palsy Awareness. It represents hope, advocacy, and progress. Wearing a green ribbon, shirt, or bracelet on Awareness Day is a simple way to start a conversation about CP.
Want to take it further? Share facts or personal moments using #GoGreen4CP. Posts from the community help normalize what life with CP actually looks like!
Elevate Cerebral Palsy Voices and Community Experiences
One of the most effective ways to raise awareness is to make space for people with CP to share their experiences in their own words. If you have a platform, consider inviting people with cerebral palsy to contribute. Their stories challenge assumptions and give others a more accurate picture of what life with CP looks like.
Here’s one from the Cionic community: Jan is a teacher, mother, and cerebral palsy mobility pioneer. She uses the Neural Sleeve to walk stronger and explore new terrain.
Advocate for Inclusion in Schools and Workplaces
Awareness opens doors. But they don’t stay open on their own.
We can all help make Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month matter all year. Advocate for accessible spaces, adaptive tech, and inclusive hiring in your community. Here are some practical options:
- Be supportive of flexible work arrangements.
- Support disability awareness programs, like the CP Foundation’s “Just Say Hi” campaign.
- Check if nearby public spaces have the mobility features that people with CP need.
Cerebral palsy advocacy looks different depending on where you are and who you’re with. By speaking up in whatever space you’re in, you make the world a little easier to move through for people with mobility differences.
Support Innovation and Research
Long-term change starts with research, and research needs support. Donating to organizations that fund CP research is another direct way any of us can contribute to a future with better options for people with mobility differences.
The FDA clearance of wearable neurotechnology, including what Cionic builds, reflects a real-time shift. These tools support muscle function and movement, giving people with CP more ways to maintain their independence.
Cerebral palsy awareness is a year-round effort, not just something to consider in March. Whether you share a story, attend a local event, or write to your representative about research funding, it adds up.
CP Awareness Month: Resources and Ways to Get Involved
Whether you’re looking to learn, donate, or take action this month, these are some of the most trusted organizations working on behalf of the CP community:
Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF): cerebralpalsyfoundation.org
The largest non-government funder of CP research in the United States. CPF focuses on adults with CP across the lifespan, funds clinical trials, and runs the “Just Say Hi” inclusion campaign for schools. Their March awareness hub is a solid starting point for anyone looking to get involved.
Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation (CPARF): cparf.org/cerebral-palsy-awareness-month
CPARF funds U.S.-based research across early detection, chronic pain, regenerative medicine, and assistive technology. Their awareness month page has specific actions and social sharing tools. They also run STEPtember, an annual September fundraising challenge for anyone who wants to step up for the community.
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP): ucp.org
UCP is a national network of local affiliates providing direct services and advocacy for people with CP and other disabilities. If you’re looking for events in your area during March, your regional UCP affiliate is a good place to check.
NIH/NINDS: Cerebral Palsy Information Page: ninds.nih.gov
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is the leading federal funder of research on the brain and nervous system, including CP. Their CP page covers what the condition is, how it’s diagnosed, and what current research looks like. It’s the most authoritative free resource available for someone who wants a clinical-level background without going through a paywall.
Going Further Together
The easiest low-barrier action: wear green on March 25th, post a photo, and tag it #GoGreen4CP. Organizations like CPARF and CPF are active on Instagram and Facebook throughout the month, sharing resources, stories, and thoughts worth amplifying.
At Cionic, we’re so proud to be building technology that supports the CP community and grateful to be doing it with friends on our side.
