United Cerebral Palsy of MetroBoston

09/17/2026

*A Silas update!*

After a very difficult few days, we’re so happy to share that our beloved staff therapy dog, Silas, is finally back home.

Silas has undergone two surgeries and three lobectomies, losing three lung lobes in total. He is now living with approximately 50% of his lung capacity.

And somehow, through it all, Silas has continued to be Silas. During his hospital stay, he ate hamburgers, played his touch game, enjoyed plenty of cookies, gave lots of kisses, and even trotted off with his lamb chop. His demeanor and spirit have been incredible to witness.

There are still some medical concerns, but his vitals have been doing well and he is now home to continue recovering. He will be taking some time off from working at the UCP Day Program to focus on healing.

We are incredibly grateful to the teams at Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital in Woburn and their sister hospital, Boston West Veterinary Emergency & Specialty, for their exceptional care and generosity. Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital fully covered the cost of Silas’s second surgery, while Boston West provided a 20% service dog discount because of Silas’s work with UCP.

We also want to thank Dr. Cohen, Dr. Agnello, Dr. Harmon, Dr. Davies, all the vets techs, and everyone else who was part of providing the best care possible and doing everything they can to help Silas through this.

Welcome home, Silas. We missed you. 🫶

08/31/2026

Parents of children with Cerebral Palsy, share your story!

The SMILe Lab at Northeastern University is recruiting parents of children with CP to share their experiences with their child’s communication and literacy development.

Your experiences and perspectives can help researchers better understand the communication and literacy journeys of children with CP and the families who support them.

Interested in participating? Please see the attached flyer for more information about the study and how to get involved.

Please share this post and flyer with your community! Your share could help reach a family whose voice deserves to be heard.

08/28/2026

A night at Fenway we won’t soon forget!

This past Saturday, some of our UCP residents and staff had an unforgettable opportunity to experience Fenway Park in a very special way. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Boston Red Sox and the Bailey family, our group got to go onto the field during pitching practice, meet Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey and his family, and cheer on the Sox while counting Strikeouts for CP!

The Bailey family’s personal connection is what inspired this campaign, and we are incredibly grateful that they chose to include UCP of MetroBoston in their efforts to raise awareness and support for people with cerebral palsy in our community.

Our residents and staff are still talking about how much fun they had. This was more than a baseball game, it was an opportunity to bring people together, keep having conversations about disabilities and inclusion, and remind our community of the importance of creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to participate, connect, and live life without limits. We are so grateful to the Red Sox, the Bailey family, and our friends WAWOS for helping to make that vision a little more visible.

And the season isn’t over yet! Strikeouts for CP continues through the remainder of the MLB season, which means there are plenty more opportunities to turn Sox strikeouts into support for CP services right here in the Boston area.

Visit the link in our bio or head to wawos.org/strikes to learn more and make your pledge!

08/14/2026

Happy 7th birthday to our one-and-only therapy dog, Silas! 🥳🎊

Time truly flies, and we can’t believe we’ve been lucky enough to live and work with Silas for seven incredible years at UCP of MetroBoston. Raised and trained right alongside us since he was a puppy in our Training With Silas groups, he plays a huge role in supporting our day habilitation participants.

Silas is trained to follow commands communicated through iPads and recordable voice switches, retrieve items directly to hands or wheelchair trays, open doors via switches, and close drawers and doors with his snout. Using tools like switch-activated dispensers and adaptive chutes, every client can actively participate in directing and rewarding him!

Beyond his impressive working skills, Silas brings warmth and comfort to everyone he meets, whether he’s swimming, playing fetch, shadowing his favorite people, or cuddling up with his giant stuffed animals.

Having Silas to brighten our days has brought so much joy, purpose, and independence to our community. Drop a 🎂 in the comments to wish Silas a very happy 7th birthday!!

08/06/2026

Calling all Red Sox fans! ⚾️

We are incredibly honored to partner with the Boston Red Sox for this year’s Strikeouts for CP campaign!

For every Red Sox strikeout, pitching coach Andrew Bailey is making a pledge to support individuals living with cerebral palsy, and you can join him by making a pledge of your own.

A portion of the donations collected will directly support UCP of MetroBoston in our mission to empower individuals with disabilities to live life without limits. Your contribution can help UCP continue to grow and expand our reach in promoting greater independence, opportunities, and inclusion for all.

Whether you make a season donation, game donation, or spread the word, you are helping to build a more inclusive community for everyone. Every strikeout this season is a chance to make a meaningful impact for our Boston community!

We are so thankful to Andrew and the entire Red Sox organization for using their visibility to make a difference, and we are excited to team up with our friends at WAWOS to support the cerebral palsy community. Make your pledge today, and cheer a little louder for every Red Sox strikeout!

Please like, share, and tag a fellow Red Sox fan who would love to support this cause! Follow the link in our bio to make a pledge today!

07/14/2026

✨We’re hiring! Join us for our Direct Support Professional job fair! ✨

Looking for a career where you can make a meaningful difference every day? Join UCP of MetroBoston at our upcoming DSP Job Fair and discover how you can help individuals with disabilities live life without limits.

🗓️ Wednesday, July 29
⏰ 4:00 - 7:00 PM
📍 480 Washington Street, Norwood MA

As a DSP, you’ll help individuals build independence, develop new skills, participate in their communities, and live fulfilling lives, all while being part of a supportive, mission-driven team.

Bring your resume, meet our hiring team, and learn more about this rewarding career. Qualified individuals must have:
- A high school diploma or equivalent
- At least one year experience in a human service position, preferably supporting individuals with disabilities
- A valid driver’s license
- Willingness to drive UCP vehicles
- Ability to communicate effectively in English to perform essential duties of the position
- Medical Administration Program (MAP) certification is required

Interview on-site! If you or someone you know is passionate about helping others, we want to meet you! Spread the word! Walk-ins are welcome, or register with the link in our bio to attend.

06/05/2026

Hope was a beloved member of the UCP community whose kindness, creativity, and passion for helping others touched everyone around her. She loved sewing, art, jewelry making, cooking, volunteering, and especially woodworking.

Before her passing in November 2025, Hope helped plan and begin a raised garden bed project for one of UCP’s residential homes. Her mother was kind enough to donate and deliver wood for our woodworking group to bring this vision to life in Hope’s memory.

We’re honored to celebrate Hope’s lasting impact through something she loved to do and helped to create. Stay tuned to see the final product soon!

04/22/2026

Leveling up inclusion at PAX East! 🎮

Individuals supported by UCP had an amazing time attending PAX East (3/26-3/30), where they explored the expo hall, connected with fellow gamers, and participated in new interactive experiences.

Big thanks to the incredible for providing tickets! For the last year, has partnered with our Norwood Day Habilitation program to create an accesible gaming group with our participants. Because of their generosity, eight of the group members were able to attend PAX East.

We are also grateful to for creating such an inclusive space and hosting a custom D&D experience our clients won’t forget. This is what life without limits looks like!

Like, share, and follow to support inclusive opportunities like this!

04/10/2026

UCP of MetroBoston would like to spotlight an incredible member of our community, Ryan Cadres. Ryan, a Massachusetts resident living with cerebral palsy, continues to go above and beyond to support United Cerebral Palsy and raise awareness for CP. This March, in honor of CP Awareness Month, Ryan organized not one, but TWO fundraisers: a custom online store and a community pizza night in partnership with Damien’s Pub in Hanson, MA. His dedication, creativity, and passion for making a difference truly embody our mission of "life without limits for people with disabilities."

Thank you, Ryan, for your ongoing support and for helping to bring greater awareness to the CP community. We are so grateful to have you as part of the UCP family!

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

03/26/2026

Pain is a reality for many people living with cerebral palsy, and it is often misunderstood.

From muscle tightness and joint strain to fatigue and secondary conditions, pain can show up in different ways and at different times. Yet it’s frequently dismissed, minimized, or simply not addressed properly. When we acknowledge this reality, we open the door to better care, more compassionate support, and real change. Listening to lived experiences matters. Advocating for accessible, informed healthcare matters.
Awareness isn’t just about facts, it’s about understanding, empathy, and action. 💚