Historical Development
In early 1950's a group of concerned parents whose children had been diagnosed as having Cerebral Palsy — in those days it was commonly referred to as "Spastic Paralysis" -realised that their children had very special needs. They formed the "Parents Association of Cerebral Palsy Children" (our records reflect meetings of this association from 1951 & 1952) and operated under
the auspices of the Cape Cripple Care Association. The need for an independently operating association for Cerebral Palsy was fast becoming apparent. After negotiating with the Cripple Care Association and the council the "Cape Province Cerebral Palsy Association" was established in 1953. The Association operated as an independent sub-committee of the Cape Cripple Care Association. The Association rented its first premises in Rosebank in 1953, and as the numbers grew it became necessary for larger and more permanent premises to be sought. In 1956 a large defunct nursing home was bought in Milner Road, Rondebosch — this was later demolished and a school was built. The school was established in 1964 and became the first Cerebral Palsy school in the Western Cape and it was known as "The Cape School for Cerebral Palsied Children" and later became what is today known as Vista Nova School. In 1971 the Association finally broke away from Cape Cripple Care and became known as "The Western Cape Cerebral Palsy Association." The Head Office
The head office of the Western Cape Cerebral Palsy Association is based on the 2nd floor of St Giles centre, Klipfontein Road opposite the Red Cross Children's Hospital. This is the hub of the Association. The Director, a secretary, a part time bookkeeper, who also does the books for all the affiliates, three social workers who, although based at the office, work at all the centres and go out into the community, as well as a driver/factotum whom, amongst other things, transports clients for the clinic, and does all the running around for us in the office. For many, the Western Cape Cerebral Palsy Association might be their first port of call when they need information about Cerebral Palsy, or need one of our services. However our affiliates are also dependent on us to secure funds to help them carry on with their operations. We have 245 "Suzy" dolls who also work for us. She is our collection doll who stands holding her teddy in one hand, a collection box in the other and she has a calliper on her leg. She can be found in nearly all the Clicks, Pick 'n Pay, some Spars and Checkers and Shoprite stores in the Western Cape. The WCCPA is a non-profit organisation that has been providing social development services to people with Cerebral Palsy and their families in the Western Cape for the past 61 years. The WCCPA incorporates a clinic for the diagnosis and treatment of children with CP; a residential care centre for adults with CP; a special care centre for children with CP who are severely and profoundly disabled; a protective employment workshop for adults with CP. The four WCCPA centres are:
1. Cerebral Palsy Clinic (Red Cross Hospital) servicing hundreds of CP children under 12yrs
2. De Heide Special Care Centre providing continued development for CP children
3. Rosedon House Residential Home for adult CP sufferers who cannot live independently
4. Village Work Centre providing a protected work environment for CP adults
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a disorder of voluntary movement and coordination caused by injury or poor development of the growing brain. Brain damage may occur during pregnancy, during the birth process or immediately after birth. If CP arises during early childhood it can be because of poor socio economic factors (TB, meningitis, gastro enteritis etc.) It can also result from accidents (motor vehicle, near drowning etc). A disorder such as CP, which involves the brain and disturbs the control of movement and posture, very often, also, involves the functioning of other parts of the brain. Thus the movement disorder can also be accompanied by associated conditions such as seizures, sensory losses, developmental delay and difficulties with language and communication. The extent to which individuals are disabled depends on the severity of the brain damage, the condition is life-long.
