Knowledge and Perceptions Towards Cerebral Palsy
A new survey carried out by JMW Solicitors revealed that there is a considerable lack of understanding surrounding cerebral palsy in the UK, with one-fifth of people not knowing what the condition is.
Our research, which questioned 790 people about their knowledge and perceptions of cerebral palsy, highlighted shortcomings in people’s understanding of the condition. Of those surveyed, 40 per cent said their understanding of cerebral palsy was ‘poor’, while 10 per cent of respondents said their knowledge was ‘very poor’. This compared with 45 per cent who said they had a ‘good’ understanding, while only five per cent said ‘very good’.
Answer Choices | Percentage | Responses |
---|---|---|
I have a very good understanding of cerebral palsy | 6.02% | 46 |
I have quite a good understanding of cerebral palsy | 44.50% | 340 |
I have quite a poor understanding of cerebral palsy | 39.40% | 301 |
I have a very poor understanding of cerebral palsy | 10.08% | 77 |
Cerebral palsy is the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affect movement and coordination. It is usually caused by damage to the brain that occurs before, during or soon after birth. Cerebral palsy is an irreversible condition that causes a range of lifelong physical and learning disabilities that range in severity.
In addition, 71 per cent of respondents did not know that one in every 400 children are born with cerebral palsy, with 13 per cent estimating that it affects one in every 20,000 children. Meanwhile, seven per cent thought it was more prevalent, guessing that cerebral palsy affects one in every 100 children.
Eddie Jones, a lawyer who represents children with avoidable cerebral palsy and the head of clinical negligence at JMW, said: "Our findings highlight a real lack of knowledge among the general public regarding cerebral palsy. We believe that more can be done nationally to raise people’s understanding of cerebral palsy to help both people with the condition and those closest to them.”
How much does the public know about cerebral palsy? - our survey findings
Answer Choices | Percentage | Responses |
---|---|---|
One in every 100 | 7.52% | 54 |
One in every 400 | 21.87% | 157 |
One in every 800 | 18.38% | 132 |
One in every 4,000 | 25.91% | 186 |
One in every 8,000 | 13.79% | 99 |
One in every 20,000 | 12.53% | 90 |
The Full Survey Results
Do you personally know anybody with cerebral palsy?
Answer Choices | Percentage | Responses |
---|---|---|
Yes | 81.96% | 586 |
No | 18.04% | 129 |
Are you aware that cerebral palsy can vary in severity?
Answer Choices | Percentage | Responses |
---|---|---|
Yes | 81.96 | 586 |
No | 18.04% | 129 |
If you were the parent of a child with cerebral palsy, how would you want to be treated?
Answer Choices | Percentage | Responses |
---|---|---|
No different to anybody else | 17.34% | 121 |
I'd like special treatment to reflect the challenges we face | 9.89% | 69 |
I wouldn't ordinarily want us to be treated any differently to anybody else, but would welcome special treatment in certain situations where it is warranted (for instance being allowed on public transport first or being helped when visibly struggling to operate a wheelchair) | 72.78% | 508 |
If you were the parent of a child with cerebral palsy and you entered a room together, would you want people to be aware that your child had cerebral palsy?
Answer Choices | Percentage | Responses |
---|---|---|
I would want everyone in a room to be aware that my child has cerebral palsy | 11.03% | 77 |
I wouldn't want anyone in a room to be aware that my child has cerebral palsy | 8.88% | 62 |
I wouldn't care whether or not anyone in a room was aware that my child has cerebral palsy | 80.09% | 559 |
What do you think would be the main difficulties of being the parent of a child with cerebral palsy?
Answer Choices | Percentage | Responses |
---|---|---|
Coming to terms with what has happened | 44.99% | 314 |
Wondering how things might have been different for your child and your family | 28.37% | 198 |
Finding time for yourself | 20.77% | 145 |
Finding time to spend with the rest of your family | 20.20% | 141 |
The reactions of others to your situation | 15.76% | 110 |
Potentially giving up your career to care for your child | 23.21% | 162 |
The financial implications of caring for your child | 42.55% | 297 |
Worrying about your child's health | 67.05% | 468 |
Worrying about your child 'fitting in' | 30.66% | 214 |
Other (please specify) | 1.58% | 11 |
If you were the parent of a child who had a severe form of cerebral palsy and required round-the-clock care, but you also had a full-time job, would you be willing to give up your career to provide it?
Answer Choices | Percentage | Responses |
---|---|---|
Yes | 85.10% | 594 |
No | 14.90% | 104 |
How would you feel in a situation where a person is 'over the top' in their sympathy and trying to help?
Answer Choices | Percentage | Responses |
---|---|---|
Thankful - you appreciate the effort they are making | 14.81% | 101 |
Frustrated - you just want your child to be treated like everyone else | 14.81% | 101 |
Angry - you are annoyed at the fuss they are making and want to be left alone | 4.55% | 31 |
Understanding - you understand that they are just trying to help | 56.30% | 384 |
Embarrassed - you don't want the attention for you or your child | 9.53% | 65 |
How would you feel if someone stares at your child and you believe this is due to their cerebral palsy?
Answer Choices | Percentage | Responses |
---|---|---|
Angry - you are annoyed that people think it is OK to stare at a person with a disability | 27.27% | 186 |
Understanding - you understand that people may not often encounter people with a disability | 37.39% | 255 |
Embarrassed - you are embarrassed for you and your child and the unwanted attention you are receiving | 13.64% | 93 |
Unconcerned - you accept that people may stare at your child, but you choose to ignore it | 21.70% | 148 |
How would you feel if a person approached you in public and asked what is ‘wrong’ with your child?
Answer Choices | Percentage | Responses |
---|---|---|
Angry - you are annoyed that people could be so brazen and seemingly ill-informed about disability | 38.27% | 261 |
Understanding - you understand that some people may not know much about disability and are curious | 41.94% | 286 |
Embarrassed - you are embarrassed that you and your child are being singled out in a public setting | 9.24% | 63 |
Unconcerned - you accept that people will want to ask about your child, and this does not bother you | 10.56% | 72 |
Approximately how much compensation do you think is needed to provide specialist care for a child with cerebral palsy and to ensure they have financial security over their lifetime?
Answer Choices | Percentage | Responses |
---|---|---|
<£1,000 | 2.50% | 17 |
£1,000 - £10,000 | 2.06% | 14 |
£10,000 - £50,000 | 6.47% | 44 |
£50,000 - £100,000 | 8.24% | 56 |
£100,000 - £300,000 | 11.47% | 78 |
£300,000 - £500,000 | 12.50% | 85 |
£500,000 - £1 million | 24.56% | 167 |
£1 million - £3 million | 21.91% | 149 |
£3 million - £10 million | 7.50% | 51 |
>£10 million | 2.79% | 19 |