October 6, 2022 is World CP Day. It’s a time to celebrate and support the more than 17 million people living with cerebral palsy (CP). Gillette Children’s is building on its strong commitment to caring for children who have cerebral palsy through new developments in research, innovation, and the clinical expertise of its physicians and providers. Exciting plans about the future of CP care at Gillette will be announced later in October 2022.

Gillette Children’s conducts clinical research every day to answer some of the most important questions for patients and families. We focus on improving treatments and making life better for children with medical conditions or disabilities.

"Every step Sophia takes is a testament to the countless dedicated individuals who made it possible." Sophia and her family traveled from Arkansas to Minnesota for several major surgeries to treat her cerebral palsy.

What are common symptoms that might indicate cerebral palsy in young children? Check out this video on what to watch for—and learn why it’s important parents follow-up with their child’s primary provider if they suspect developmental delays.

For 125 years the doctors, nurses and employees at Gillette have worked every day to provide the very best care for all children. This dedication has led to treatments and outcomes that have influenced cerebral palsy care worldwide. 

Aaron Navarro is a teenager from Grandview, Texas. He's an active member of his high school debate team and runs 5K races (even though he’ll tell you that running isn’t his favorite thing). His mother, Christine, will tell you that the fact that he is running at all is nothing short of remarkable.

When I was 2 years old, I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Now, I'm 23. I've faced many challenges in my life, but I think my dad said it best, "Inch by inch, life's a cinch. Yard by yard, life's hard." You can't get too caught up trying to project what the end result might be, all you can do is try to deal with the challenge in front of you, and move forward.

Families are giving praise and support to Spastic Diplegia—Bilateral Cerebral Palsy written by Ireland-based author, Lily Collison. The book was released by Gillette Children’s Healthcare Press just before the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

March is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. Gillette Children’s is the world-renowned leader in the treatment of cerebral palsy. We enhance the lives of individuals who have cerebral palsy and promote their well-being by improving diagnosis, management, and care through research, innovation, and collaboration. The Harkness family shares their story of why selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery at Gillette was the best choice for their daughter.

A new book edited by Gillette Children's orthopedic surgeon, Tom Novacheck, MD, and clinical scientist, Michael Schwartz, PhD, is intended to be a resource for health care providers and scientists to improve the lives of people who have cerebral palsy and mobility challenges. “We hope this new book is a blueprint for the next five years of research and clinical care to help people who have cerebral palsy,” Novacheck says.

Mpls. St. Paul Magazine recently released its “Top Doctors list,” which includes the names of 24 physicians from Gillette Children's. The magazine determines award recipients based on a survey sent to physicians each year, asking them to nominate one or more doctors (excluding themselves) whom they would visit if they or a loved one needed medical care.

Gillette Children's has launched a new resource to help parents of children who have complex, rare or traumatic conditions. The first book released by the new Gillette Children’s Healthcare Press is Spastic Diplegia—Bilateral Cerebral Palsy and it’s written by Lily Collison, an Ireland-based author and the mother of a Gillette patient.

Seven-year-old Maria Renata Sanchez Diaz traveled 1,600 miles from her home in Mexico City to Gillette Children’s as part of her plan to keep a promise to her dad.

Clinicians and researchers from around the U.S. and world gathered at Gillette for the 28th annual Gait Analysis: A Focus on Interpretation. The course fosters development and training in the field of gait analysis and is the only one of its kind in the world.

After two orthopedic surgeries, both informed by gait analysis, Eliza's now pain-free and able to pursue her passion for musical theater and dance.

In 2016, Connor Church finally went to his first Minnesota Twins baseball game. Even more exciting than that: His doctors at Gillette deemed him a Gait Lab Graduate. Meaning after more than 12 years and 30 procedures, Connor would spend the rest of his summers surgery-free.

Maia Gochez pursues anything that catches her fancy: horseback riding, cute sandals, traveling the country. And she’s courageous enough to overcome anything that might stand in the way—even her cerebral palsy diagnosis.