The sixth Cerebral Palsy Scotland Conference and Exhibition brought together a record number of delegates to discuss key issues facing the cerebral palsy community.
Held on 3 October at Hampden Park, the conference is Scotland’s only event focussing on cerebral palsy (CP) and aims to bring together all people with experience of CP – either directly, through family or professionally.
Over 300 people registered to attend the day, which was organised by Bobath Scotland and supported by Digby Brown Solicitors. And over 40 exhibitors had the opportunity to showcase specialist equipment and services to the CP community in Scotland.
The keynote presentation from Dr Joy Nisbet highlighted her recent report into the lack of available mental health support for people with CP and the continuing work at Bobath Scotland to ensure all the charity’s services are “psychologically informed”.
Workshops on the day covered topics including access to healthcare for girls and women with CP, discrimination in employment, reflection on walking aids, research into static versus dynamic standing for people with CP, and resources for communication. There were also a number of practical sessions including a boccia taster, a pre-school play session run by Bobath Scotland’s therapists and a dance workshop.
Robert Softley Gale, Artistic Director at Birds of Paradise Theatre Company, and actor Jack Hunter closed the day with an entertaining interactive discussion on representation of disability in the arts.
Commenting on the conference, Stephanie Fraser, Bobath Scotland CEO said:
“At Bobath Scotland we work hard throughout the year to deliver individual intensive therapy, therapist-led groups and other services to support children and adults with cerebral palsy.
“The Cerebral Palsy Scotland conference is a highlight of the year. It is an important opportunity for us to host a day of discussion and knowledge sharing that brings together the whole CP community; the event remains the only one of its kind in Scotland to focus exclusively on cerebral palsy.
“The atmosphere throughout the day was really positive. We are privileged to work with Digby Brown Solicitors in developing this event over the years and we are extremely grateful for their continued support. The conference would simply not have been possible without them.”
Access Presentations from Cerebral Palsy Scotland Conference 2019
PowerPoint presentations from the conference are available below, with more added soon:
- Joy Nisbet – Mental health, wellbeing and cerebral palsy
- Kenny Thoms – Using technology to overcome physical barriers in cerebral palsy
- Ross Milvenan – Avoiding discrimination in employment – employees and carers
- Sonali Shah – Exploring access to healthcare for girls and women with cerebral palsy
- Rikke Moen – Static versus dynamic standing – what to choose? A clinical reflection on available evidence
- Grant Douglas – Challenge yourself and change the world: The story of the S’up spoon
- Kathryn Cubby and Sandra MacKay – NHS and Bobath working together on the Right Start project
- David Reilly – Cerebral palsy and the importance of remaining active
- Jan Kerr – #AccessibleLevenmouth
- Claire Harrison – Assistive Technology – information, ideas and resources for communication and access to learning