Cerebral palsy is a condition caused by damage to the brain, usually occurring before, during or shortly following birth.
Cerebral palsy is neither progressive or communicable.
It is also not curable, although education, therapy and applied technology can help people with cerebral palsy lead productive lives. The causes of cerebral palsy include illness during pregnancy, premature delivery or lack of oxygen to the baby. Head injuries can also lead to the less common acquired cerebral palsy. Between 500,000 and 700,000 Americans have some degree of cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is characterized by an inability to fully control motor function.