info@bbcpfc.co.uk | 0771 200 2898
Inspiration
Our son Jackson has Cerebral Palsy and was desperate to play football. As he grew he found it more difficult to keep up with his friends and as a result he became quite isolated. He would go along to the Broxbourne Borough Club to watch his friends play and would always wish that it was him kicking a football around on the pitch.
As his parents, we wanted Jackson to have the same opportunities as his peers and started to look for a Cerebral Palsy team for him to play with. We couldn’t believe that there was nothing available in the local or surrounding area, and with the encouragement of friends and the Broxbourne Borough club, decided to make that change.
Along with CP sport we made plans to hold a kick-start event in June 2015. We were told that if we could get 5 children turn up to the event, then it would be classed as a big success, however, 15 children turned up, both framed and ambulant. Just seeing the smiles on their faces made everything worthwhile.
Following on from this, we set up weekly training sessions every Saturday, and the club has gone from strength to strength. We now have 16 regular boys and girls and are continually growing. Every child has the right to be included in a sport they love and we are extremely passionate about ensuring this happens.
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral Palsy describes a disability caused by damage to those parts of the brain that control muscles, movement and posture. It usually occurs during pregnancy, around the time of birth or within the first 3 years.
It occurs in around 2 in every 1000 live births making it the most common physical disability in childhood. Cerebral Palsy is not one but many conditions depending on where the damage took place in the brain. Cerebral Palsy affects body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance. It can also impact fine motor skills, gross motor skills and oral motor functioning.
Other complications, such as intellectual impairment, seizures, and vision or hearing impairment are also commonly associated with Cerebral Palsy.