Cerebral palsy, or CP, is a group of disorders that affects movement, muscle tone, and posture. It can affect the whole body, or just one limb or one side of the body. While CP affects every person differently, many people with this diagnosis face life-long challenges.
Parents who are raising a child with cerebral palsy often struggle to find the support that they need. Depending on their child’s specific complications, they may deal with substantial emotional, physical, practical, and financial demands.
The Birth Injury Lawyers Alliance (BILA) is dedicated to helping individuals who have suffered birth injuries, along with their families. If your child has suffered a birth injury – including CP – we may be able to get you the financial compensation that you need for their future care.
Below, we have listed resources throughout Canada that may provide some help for parents of kids with cerebral palsy. If you need additional assistance, please feel free to give our office a call to get connected with services in your area.
Non-Profit and Advocacy Groups
The Cerebral Palsy Association of British Columbia advocates for, provides resources to, and offers support to people with cerebral palsy and their families in British Columbia.
In Vancouver, British Columbia, the Voice of the Cerebral Palsied of Greater Vancouver offers advocacy, resources, and support to adults with cerebral palsy.
United Cerebral Palsy is a nonprofit organization that educates, advocates, and provides supportive services to help people with CP live a life without limits. It has two Canadian affiliates: the Cerebral Palsy Association of British Columbia and the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta.
Inclusion BC is an organization that advocates for the rights and opportunities of people with developmental disabilities, including CP. It is located in British Columbia.
Family Support Institute of BC is a provincial charitable society directed by families, with the goal of supporting families who have a family member with a disability. They offer workshops and information and connect families with similar experiences.
Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy (OFCP), based in Ontario, provides information about cerebral palsy, as well as navigation support to help families find services.
Empowered Kids Ontario (EKO) is Ontario’s publicly-funded child development and rehabilitation sector that provides treatment and support to children, youth, and families.
The Calgary Progressive Lifestyles Foundation offers support and services to people with disabilities in Alberta.
Bridge to Care provides a range of services to people with disabilities in Alberta to promote independence
Cerebral Palsy Kids and Families is a nonprofit organization in Alberta that offers a range of programs and events for kids and families.
Lacome Action Group is a community agency based in Alberta that supports adults and children with developmental disabilities.
DASH – Direct Action in Support of Community Homes offers opportunities for people with developmental disabilities in Manitoba to reach their full potential.
The Manitoba Cerebral Palsy Sports Association provides training, competitive opportunities, and team community for youth with cerebral palsy and other disabilities in Manitoba.
CAHRD – Aboriginal People with Disabilities Program is an organization that is dedicated to providing urban Aboriginal people in Manitoba with customized services.
The Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba offers information, referrals, support, advocacy, and the use of its library to people affected by CP in Manitoba.
Premier’s Council on Disabilities works to improve the quality of life for anyone affected by a disability in New Brunswick.
The Cerebral Palsy Association of Newfoundland and Labrador works to improve the lives of people with CP in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Coalition of Persons with Disabilities – Newfoundland and Labrador offers information, education, and awareness in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Rainbow Riders is a network of people with learning disabilities and those who support them in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Northwest Territories Disabilities Council provides education, advocates, and supports all individuals with disabilities in the Northwest Territories.
The Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia fosters resilience, recovery, and community for brain injury survivors and their families in Nova Scotia.
Living Outside of the Lines is an organization dedicated to assisting families of children with extraordinary needs.
The Neil Squire Society uses technology, knowledge, and passion to empower Canadians with disabilities who live in Nova Scotia.
Camp Triumph is a camp for children who have a sibling or parent with a serious chronic illness or disability in Prince Edward Island.
Inclusions East – Intellectual Disabilities provides essential employment preparation training to clients in Prince Edward Island.
The PEI Cerebral Palsy Association works to raise awareness in society of the abilities of individuals with cerebral palsy.
Brilliant Beginnings, Inc. helps children in Quebec overcome the challenges they face in a nurturing, fun, and friendly environment.
The Montreal Centre for Learning Disabilities works to disseminate information, promote awareness and provide innovative services and programs to the English-speaking community in Montreal, Quebec.
The Association de Paralysie Cerebrale du Quebec defends and promotes the rights of people living with cerebral palsy or any other motor impairment anywhere in Quebec.
Inclusion SK works to ensure that citizens who have intellectual disabilities are valued, supported, and included members of society and have opportunities and choices in all aspects of life in Saskatchewan.
Inclusion Regina builds inclusive communities and empowers individuals living with intellectual disabilities to engage in society with opportunities and choices in Saskatchewan.
The Saskatchewan Cerebral Palsy Association ensures individuals with cerebral palsy the right to opportunities to achieve their fullest potential through education, health care, and access to all amenities in Saskatchewan.
Challenge Disability Resource Group helps people with disabilities in Yukon to become active and independent in their community, by learning real job skills and entering the job market.
Government of Yukon – Family Supports for Children with Disabilities provides support to Yukon families to care for their child with a disability (up to 19 years of age).
The Ontario Disability Coalition is an Ontario-based grassroots group that was formed in 2017 to advocate for health care services that a person needs to find their way towards achieving as normal a life as possible.
Ontario Community Living is a non-profit organization that advocates for people with intellectual disabilities in Ontario on issues related to employment, education, youth engagement, and family engagement.
Financial Support
Trillium Drug Program is administered by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. It may offer financial support for individuals with high prescription drug costs relative to their income.
Ceridian Cares offers medical assistance to families and individuals in Ontario, including funding for medical equipment, respite services, short-term counseling, and more.
AJ’s Loan Cupboard offers loans of medical equipment to people with disabilities in Alberta.
Find Support BC connects families of people with disabilities with the resources available to them.
The Saskatchewan Home Repair Program offers financial assistance to homeowners or rental property owners with low incomes to make a home more accessible for a person with a housing-related disability in Saskatchewan.
BC Housing – Home Adaptations for Independence provides financial assistance in the form of a grant to eligible low-income households in British Columbia to complete home adaptations for independent living.
Government of Canada – Living with a Disability provides information about financial assistance for people with disabilities throughout Canada.
New Brunswick Family Supports for Children with Disabilities is a voluntary program that provides social work support and financial resources to families in New Brunswick.
The Cerebral Palsy Foundation (Saint John) Inc offers financial assistance to people in New Brunswick to assist with the purchase of equipment, provides general information about cerebral palsy.
The Ontario Disability Supports Program (ODSP) provides financial assistance to people with disabilities in Ontario.
Government of PEI – Home Renovation Program offers financial assistance to qualifying Islanders to help cover the cost of major structural renovations to their homes.
The Saskatchewan Angels & Friends Foundation provides funds for specialized equipment for Saskatchewan children living with intellectual disabilities.
The Government of Yukon – Training and Work Disability Supports offers financial support to find work or learn a new skill in Yukon.
Easter Seals Canada offers a range of programs and services across Canada, including funding for assistive and adaptive technology and sports, recreation and leisure programs and camps.
March of Dimes Canada provides funding and assistance for home and vehicle renovations for accessibility for all Canadians with disabilities.
The Disability Tax Credit offers Canadians with disabilities a tax credit.
Special Services at Home (SSAH) provides funding to families in Ontario to pay for respite, personal growth and development for children with disabilities
Enhanced Respite for medically fragile/technology dependent (MFTD is a program offered in Ontario for caregivers of youth with special needs.
The Sunshine Foundation grants “wishes” for kids with disabilities in Canada.
Starlight Canada grants wishes for kids with disabilities in Canada, both in and out of the hospital.
Make-A-Wish Canada fulfills wishes for kids with critical illnesses and disabilities throughout Canada.
Ability Gives contributes by helping families with children and youth with disabilities to acquire necessary equipment/aids.
Therapy
Rehabilitative Care Alliance (RCA) is an Ontario-based portal for rehabilitative care. Families can use it to find services in Ontario.
Ontario Association for Speech-Language Pathologists allows families in Ontario to search for a licensed professional for their child with CP.
Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists can be used to find an OT in Ontario.
Ministry of Health – Physiotherapy Clinics is a tool through the Ontario government that allows users to determine if they qualify for government-funded physiotherapy and to find a therapist.
Abilities Manitoba is a network of agencies that foster services for people with intellectual disabilities.
Province of Ontario Mental Health Helpline can connect you with a mental health professional in Ontario, 24 hours a day.
Calgary Alternative Support Services provides person-centered support to youth and adults with disabilities in Alberta.
Government of BC – Support and Services for People with Disabilities provides programs and services to people with disabilities in British Columbia.
The Government of Manitoba – Services for Persons with Disabilities Directory is a directory of services in Manitoba.
Ergo Consult Occupational Therapy for Children Edmundston focuses on prevention, intervention, consultation, and rehabilitation in work and home environments in New Brunswick.
Metro Health Services in New Brunswick is dedicated to offering prosthetics, orthotics, specialty seating, and other pedorthic products and services.
The Government of New Brunswick – Health Services for People with Disabilities Directory is a directory of services in New Brunswick.
Handi-Bus Saint John provides transportation for people who cannot use public transit in Saint John, New Brunswick.
Family & Child Education offers early intervention services for children with disabilities in New Brunswick.
Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre provides a full range of services to people with disabilities in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Government of Northwest Territories – Resources for Persons with Disabilities is a directory of services in the Northwest Territories.
Breton Ability Centre provides services and supports to people with disabilities in Nova Scotia.
IWK Health Centre – Children’s Cerebral Palsy Clinic provides care for children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and their families.
The Government of PEI – Education and Lifelong Learning is a government directory of support and services for residents of PEI.
The Donald Berman Yaldei Developmental Center is a team of therapists and educators in Quebec dedicated to early intervention treatment, individualized therapies, and special education programs.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority – Service Directory is a government directory of support and services for residents of Saskatchewan.
Yukon Health and Social Services offers a government directory of support and services for residents of Yukon.
Books
Many nonprofit organizations, including the Cerebral Palsy Association of each province, offer a library of books and resources on CP free of charge.
Online and Parent Groups
Many organizations that are dedicated to helping individuals and families with CP, such as the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy and the Cerebral Palsy Federation of British Columbia, also offer both online and parent support groups. Reach out to organizations in your province to learn more about what resources may be available for you.
Is Cerebral Palsy Always a Birth Injury?
No. Cerebral palsy results from damage to the brain, which may occur for a number of reasons. However, a high percentage of cases involving children with CP are attributed to some form of medical negligence, such as failure to monitor, umbilical cord problems that are not addressed appropriately, or misuse of forceps.
If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy following a birth injury, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Birth Injury Lawyers Alliance to talk to a member of our team about your potential claim.
How Do I Know If I Can File a Lawsuit for My Child’s CP?
If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the medical professionals and/or hospital if medical negligence contributed to or caused a birth injury. To determine if you have a case, a birth injury lawyer will review medical records and other documentation to determine if the doctor, nurse, or other healthcare worker provided substandard care. Each case is unique, so it is important to schedule a consultation with an experienced birth injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Through a lawsuit, you may be able to recover financial compensation to help you pay for the services that your child needs to live the best possible life. Give BILA a call today to learn more about how one of our birth injury lawyers may be able to help you.
My Child Has CP from a Birth Injury. Am I Entitled to Compensation?
Possibly. If you are able to prove that your child’s cerebral palsy was due to medical negligence, then you could file a legal claim against the doctor or hospital. Through a lawsuit, you may be able to recover compensation for the cost of future care, loss of income or earning capacity, pain and suffering, out-of-pocket expenses, your time in caring for your child, and other losses.
Each province has different rules about damages in medical negligence cases. To learn more about your rights, reach out to BILA at 1-800-300-2452 or fill out our online contact form. Initial consultations are always free of charge.
