Cerebral palsy is one of the most common causes of childhood disability, affecting 1 in 345 children nationwide. Yet parents are often blindsided when their child receives a CP diagnosis, not knowing where to turn, whom to talk to and how to manage the complex needs that accompany a scary diagnosis.

Parents, caregivers, families and health care providers will have the opportunity to learn more about cerebral palsy at Bethany Children’s Health Center’s third annual Cerebral Palsy Conference. Dr. Cynthia Wozow, an Alabama pediatrician, will be the featured speaker. Dr. Wozow treats children with CP at Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham and has the unique perspective of having CP herself. She understands the personal and family needs when dealing with CP, as well as the medical and caregiving perspectives.

Additionally, Bethany Children’s own Dr. Justin Ramsey, who also has CP, will be presenting at the conference. Panels of particular interest to Oklahoma families and caregivers of a CP child include perspectives of a mother and a father, the impact of CP on mental health and wellness, the disorder’s impact on a person’s dating and fertility when trying to start a family, and how brothers and sisters can navigate a sibling’s CP diagnosis.

Tickets include a T-shirt and lunch.