Cerebral palsy, mental retardation different
In a Thursday story about a Luther woman sentenced to prison for emailing nude pictures of her 12-year-old daughter, one line read that the woman “has cerebral palsy and an IQ that makes her borderline mentally retarded.”
Reading that, some might conclude that cerebral palsy and a low IQ are always connected. Nothing could be further from the truth.
CP is caused by oxygen being cut off to the brain while the child is in the womb, being born, or very young (usually less than 3 years old). While the young brain is developing, a shortage of oxygen can cut off development of the areas of the brain that control the muscles.
CP can not be transmitted to others and is not passed on genetically. It can never be “cured,” but with proper treatment and extensive physical therapy a person with CP can often lead a fairly normal life. The younger the child starts treatment and physical therapy, the better the prognosis.
Depending on the severity of their disability and the treatment they have received, people with CP may use wheelchairs, walkers or canes, or they may be able to get around with very few problems.
People with CP may have trouble communicating with others if they have not received proper treatment and therapy, but that does not make them mentally retarded. The woman from Luther probably has problems that have led to that diagnosis.
My wife was born prematurely and developed CP in the neonatal care unit when she went without oxygen for a few minutes. She did not learn to walk until she was 5, but still graduated with honors from high school, cum laude from college and magna cum laude while receiving her master’s degree. We have two perfectly healthy children.
Dave Parker
Staff Writer
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