Honoring World Cerebral Palsy Day

Community Stories

·Oct 6th, 2021

October 6 is World Cerebral Palsy Day, a time to celebrate and support those living with cerebral palsy (CP) and help create a more accessible future for everyone. Together, we can make it happen! You can support the day by learning about and creating awareness around CP.

CP is a group of disorders caused by damage to the developing brain that affects your ability to move and maintain balance. It is the most common motor disability in childhood, affecting more than 17 million people worldwide including Starlight Kid Edwin Jr.

Born prematurely with CP, Edwin had difficulty walking and holding pencils and remote controllers. He’s been hospitalized many times and had four major surgeries to correct his balance and improve his quality of life.

Edwin’s parents Monique and Edwin Sr. have been with him every step of the way, from treatment at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City to virtual learning at home throughout 2020.

“We’ve been blessed with a child with a disability. We take it for granted, some of the stuff that we do normally, but for him, everything that he does is a milestone and we celebrate everything,”
- Edwin Sr.

During his hospitalizations, Edwin’s parents saw his love for video games grow as he had a lot of practice using Starlight Gaming at Hospital for Special Surgery!

Specifically manufactured to meet strict infection safety protocols, Gaming stations can roll anywhere in the hospital and be easily used to keep hospitalized kids entertained and distracted, especially as many playrooms are closed due to COVID-19.

After witnessing Edwin’s love for gaming, his parents wanted to bring that same happiness to him at home. Now, with Edwin’s family staying home and staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, he’s been immersed in some of his favorite games!