Assembly Resolution No. 262

BY: M. of A. Seawright

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
March 25, 2023, as Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
conditions that affect the lives of citizens of New York State and
across the Nation and World; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 25, 2023, as
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction
with the observance of National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day; and

WHEREAS, National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day is observed every
year on March 25th, and was first established in 2006 by Reaching for
the Stars (RFTS), a non-profit educational advocacy group run by parent
volunteers; and

WHEREAS, While the entire month of March is considered National
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, March 25th is a nationally recognized
holiday intended to focus support for those affected by this condition;
and

WHEREAS, This vital day of recognition serves to provide those in
the community with a platform to come forward and share their stories
while supporting one another; and

WHEREAS, National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day also provides an
opportunity to educate those outside of the cerebral palsy (CP)
community about the condition; those who wish to support the community
can learn about life with CP and determine ways to be more inclusive
towards those who live with it; most importantly, it allows for people
to learn how they can become long-term allies of the CP community; and

WHEREAS, Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological disorders
affecting motor and developmental skills; according to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 345 children in the
United States have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy; it is the most
common motor disability in children; and

WHEREAS, Cerebral palsy is not a genetic or contagious condition,
rather it is caused due to brain damage or abnormal brain development
during gestation, during birth or soon after; symptoms of CP vary
greatly from individual to individual; and

WHEREAS, With nearly one million people living with cerebral palsy
in the United States, 75% of individuals with cerebral palsy also have
one or more developmental disabilities, including epilepsy, intellectual
disability, autism, visual impairment, or blindness; and

WHEREAS, Days of recognition which bring greater awareness to
disorders and neurological health issues, and assist people in their
quest to overcome these obstacles, are a great benefit to the health and
welfare of all citizens; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 25, 2023, as
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.