Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s son Zain passed away Monday after a long battle with cerebral palsy. According to estimates, around 3 out of every 1000 children worldwide are born with Cerebral Palsy.
For Nadella, his son’s condition pushed him towards designing products that are accessible for people with disabilities. He also cited lessons learned while raising him as a reason for building Microsoft into a company that values empathy, community and collaboration.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy is a movement disorder that affects people’s ability to move or use their muscles. It’s caused by damage to the brain.
Doctors diagnose cerebral palsy after reviewing a patient’s medical history and performing a physical exam, a neurological test called an electroencephalogram (EEG), or an imaging procedure like a MRI scan. They also may order tests to rule out other conditions that can cause symptoms of cerebral palsy.
The most common type of cerebral palsy is spastic cerebral palsy, which causes stiff muscles and awkward movements. Other forms include mixed cerebral palsy, which causes a mix of symptoms, and quadriplegic cerebral palsy, which includes total body paralysis.
Children with cerebral palsy have difficulty learning to walk or talking. They may have a hard time swallowing and controlling their facial muscles, which can make it hard to smile or drool. They might have other developmental issues, such as seizures. Symptoms usually appear before a child is 2 years old.
Celebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect a person’s movement, balance, speech and other brain functions. They usually develop in the first 2 years of life.
CP can be caused by problems in the brain, such as low oxygen levels (hypoxia) or injuries. These occur most often in the womb during pregnancy or delivery, but they can also happen after birth, as well.
Dyskinetic CP (also called athetoid, choreoathetoid and dystonic CP) is characterized by slow and uncontrolled writhing movements of the arms, legs and hands. It can also affect muscle coordination that is needed for speech.
Ataxic CP causes balance and depth perception problems. It can also affect a child’s ability to walk with a wide-based gait and coordinate voluntary movement, such as reaching for something.
CP may also cause problems with hearing and speaking. It can lead to a loss of hearing in the ear (sensorineural) or affect the ability to interpret speech and understand it (central).
Neurological Disorders
A neurological disorder occurs when there’s a problem with the brain or nervous system. It may be caused by stroke, hydrocephalus or meningitis, and it can cause physical and emotional symptoms.
The brain is a complex organ that’s composed of neurons, which are nerve cells that carry messages between each other. These neurons are responsible for directing nerve impulses to muscles, senses, and other parts of the body.
Neurological disorders can include seizures, numbness or pain, muscle weakness, and other problems that affect the way the brain and body work. They can also cause emotional symptoms like mood swings or sudden outbursts.
There are many types of neurological disorders, ranging from serious life-threatening conditions to less harmful but debilitating ones. Some of the most common and dangerous are stroke, hydrocephalus, and meningitis. Other chronic neurological disorders include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. These diseases afflict millions of people around the world and affect their ability to function normally.
Treatment
The most important part of treatment is finding the right kind of therapy for your child’s needs. Some therapies, like physiotherapy and occupational therapy, can help improve balance, coordination and overall mobility. Other more specialized treatments are needed to overcome certain limitations, such as pain or sleep problems.
The best way to find out what your child needs is to ask questions of your doctor, therapist or family member. They will be able to recommend the most effective and efficient treatments for your child’s unique set of needs.
If your child is lucky enough to receive the right type of therapy, they should be able to lead a normal and happy life. There are many resources available to support and encourage you through your child’s journey. From specialized schools to community organizations, you can find the assistance and support you need to help your child lead a fulfilling life.
