Latest news with #CerebralPalsy
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Jonathan Bryan obituary
Jonathan Bryan, who has died aged 19, following a short illness, was a poet, author and campaigner for the education of profoundly disabled children. Born with cerebral palsy, which severely restricted control of his limbs and the facial muscles necessary for speech, Jonathan confounded the limited expectations that so often accompanied the label of profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD). With the support of his family – his parents, Christopher Bryan, an Anglican vicar, and Chantal (nee Suffield Jones), and two younger sisters – as well as carers, communication partners and specialists, he learned to read, and then to write, using a spelling board and the movement of his eyes. By the age of nine he had, as he said, 'found his voice' and thereafter was able to join mainstream education, finishing in the sixth-form at Westonbirt school, not far from the family's home in Wiltshire. His first book, Eye Can Write, was published in 2018, when he was only 12, but revealed a mature capacity for empathy and love, and a lively and obviously mischievous personality. He recounted how at one point he spelled out 'm-y', at which point his helpers assumed the next character must be a space. However, leaving a pause for dramatic effect, he continued, 'r-i-a-d-s'. The book contains a number of his poems, including PMLD, a 23-line resigned expression of the low expectations many have of disabled people. But at the end is the invitation, 'Now read it again backwards'. When read in reverse, the lines become a fierce assertion of the human will to learn and to communicate, regardless of disability. This astonishing feat of composition was helped by Jonathan having a photographic memory. In 2018 he founded the charity Teach Us Too, to campaign for all children, of whatever level of physical ability, to be given a voice through learning to read and write. He continued to write poetry and publish works inspired by his strong Christian faith and hope, stoked by an experience, recounted in Eye Can Write, when, in a medically induced coma, he saw himself running through the fields of heaven in his promised renewed body. At the time of his death, he was in his first year of studying creative writing at Bath Spa University. He and I both attended Widcombe Baptist Church in the city. Jonathan received numerous awards, beginning with the Diana award, received from Princes William and Harry in 2017, involving an acceptance speech, delivered by his mother, to assembled dignitaries in the House of Lords. In 2022, he was named in the Disability Power 100. He is survived by his parents and his sisters, Susannah and Jemima.
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Coronation Street star who shot to fame on Britain's Got Talent 'confirms' soap exit - and his final scenes have already aired
Coronation Street star Jack Carroll has reportedly left the show after two years - and fans have already seen his final scenes. The actor, 26, who shot to fame on Britain's Got Talent, joined the soap in 2023 as Bobby Crawford. Despite rumours he had already bowed out last year, the actor was still appearing regularly on-screen earlier this year. But his character's abrupt disappearance last month raised eyebrows, as he was quietly written out without any on-screen farewell or mention. It's now been revealed by The Mirror that Bobby has departed the soap — though his exit isn't permanent, with the door left ajar for a possible comeback in the future. A source told the publication: 'Bobby has had a dramatic couple of years on the cobbles, but the time has come to bid farewell. Actor Jack enjoyed his time on the soap, but it's time to move on. 'Viewers won't see the character exit the street as he's already left, with Jack filming his final scenes some time ago. 'The door has been left open for Jack should he wish to come back to the show in the future. With his Aunty Carla there, Bobby will always have a place in Weatherfield.' MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment. His character was last seen in the soap in May when he headed off to Spain to visit Simon Barlow. It comes after Jack revealed how he landed his role on the ITV soap. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 16 months old – the result of brain damage that happened either during or shortly after his birth, causing spastic diplegia, a disability affecting both of his legs. Speaking on This Morning with hosts Rylan Clark and Josie Gibson last year, the star revealed how he claimed the coveted role and how the soap portrays the condition. Jack said that Corrie was something he had wanted to do for a long time - and he was helped by having a 'couple of friends' on the writing staff. As the team already knew him well, they were able to create a character that was very personalised to him as they were already familiar with his sense of humour. He went on to discuss how cerebral palsy has been portrayed on the Cobbles and the 'smart' way the producers have explored it. He said: 'I think the way they've gone about doing it and portraying disabilities they've done it in a really smart way. 'It's a facet of the character and there's lots of other stuff going on. It shows him as a human being too which is really important to do.' Joining Corrie was a very surreal experience for Jack, who described starting as 'quite daunting' and said he has 'big blockbuster' storylines coming up. He continued: 'It's bizarre! Walking past all these sets. It's very very bizarre but I hope that never leaves me. 'It's a huge privilege and I'm lucky to be able to add it to the CV.' Cerebral palsy is a life-long condition that occurs when a baby's brain is starved of oxygen during or shortly after birth. In most cases, this is due to a difficult labour, but it can occur as a result of an infection of the brain or head injury. Those with the condition may experience difficulties with movement and co-ordination, as well as loss of speech, hearing and vision and spinal deformities, and may need lifelong care. Disability charity Scope says an estimated 1,800 children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy in the UK every year. In 2020-2021, 281 cases of preventable cerebral palsy were reported – the highest number since 2010 and a fifth of the ten-year total. At the age of 14, Jack came runner-up on Britain's Got Talent in 2013 to shadow theatre group Attraction. The standup comedian, who has also made an appearance on Saturday Night at the London Palladium, was a hit among the judges and viewers. Jack has also made an appearance on Jason Manford's Funny Old Week and Live At the Apollo as well as completing his first national live tour. His acting career kicked off shortly after his BGT stint as he has starred in the likes of the Ministry of Curious Stuff on CBBC, Trollied, Doctors and the role of Pete in the feature film Eaten By Lions. What is cerebral palsy? Cerebral palsy is the name for a set of conditions affecting movement and co-ordination stemming from a problem with the brain that takes place before, during or soon after birth. Symptoms are not typically obvious immediately after a child is born — but instead normally become noticeable after two or three years. They include delays in reaching development milestones, such as: Not sitting by eight months Not walking by 18 months Appearing too stiff or too floppy Walking on tip-toes Weak arms or legs Fidgety, jerky or clumsy movements Random, uncontrolled movements Difficulty speaking, swallowing or seeing — along with learning difficulties — can also be symptoms. Cerebral palsy symptoms can be caused by a number of things and are not necessarily an indication of the condition, which can occur if a child's brain does not develop normally while in the womb, or is damaged during or soon after birth. Causes include bleeding in the baby's brain, reduced blood and oxygen supply, infection caught by the mother while pregnant, asphyxiation during a difficult birth, meningitis or a serious head injury - though the precise cause is often not clear. There is no cure currently, but physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and medication are often used as treatment. Each person living with the condition is affected in a different way, but generally speaking most children live into adult life and some can live for many decades.
Irish Independent
01-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Life for this Cork boy (12) with cerebral palsy has been ‘transformed' by vital charity
Alison Lynch says a Cork-based charity has transformed the life of her son, who lives with Cerebral Palsy Today at 08:49 A Cork mother says a Cork charity has played an instrumental role in helping her son with Cerebral Palsy navigate his life's major challenges into his teenage years, Alison Lynch's son Oliver was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy after a complication during birth, flagged during an early cranial scan. Ironically, it was brother Reuben's scans that led the twins to receive the extra attention.
CBS News
31-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Twins, one with cerebral palsy, compete together at Massachusetts track event. "This is the happiest kid."
Twins, one of them with cerebral palsy, competed together at a statewide Massachusetts track event for athletes of all abilities, bringing joy to their parents' eyes and tears to others. Sam Faria, a junior at Holliston High School, and his brother Daniel competed in the Massachusetts Unified Track and Field Championships earlier this month. The twins, born just minutes apart, have always done everything together and this was no exception. Sam was proud to push his brother over the finish line in the 100-meter dash and they took second place. Competing together as brothers "We came in with the idea of winning but it was a far, far reality," said Sam. "And although we didn't come in first place, second place finish in the 100-meter dash was a big blessing for the both of us. And I remember getting on the track like, man, am I really nervous right now, I've been in so many 100-meter dashes over the past two months but this one just felt different. And I looked at Dan and he's smiling, he's pretty much telling me, 'Dude, why are you so nervous?'" That wasn't all. The brothers also competed in the shot put. "I would grab Daniel's hand, I would place it in here, I'd tell him smile when you're ready and when he smiles, he's ready and one, two, and we throw it on three," said Sam. They also had support from their Holliston track coach, Mike Mullen. "It's not just about winning but it's just getting a chance to do it together," said Mullen. "Did they win first place? No but they did something better and that's compete together as brothers and I think that's better than any first place win. A coach from Natick even reached out and said he was moved to tears by it." Daniel's nurse and caretaker Bianca Monteiro had nothing but joy to share as she reflected on the moment. "We finally made it. Daniel was finally seen," said Monteiro. "Sam did the impossible, he took his brother to a track meet that most kids never get that potential, never get that chance to do, to see them finally so happy to be part of something. You have to see their abilities, not the disabilities." Sam, who also plays quarterback for the football team, said he can't imagine his life without his brother Daniel. "We're best friends" "I wouldn't say it was like other twins, I do think our experience is unique," said Sam. "I think that my whole life I've been made to believe we should be another way or that I'm missing out on having a 'real brother.' Love is experienced and really cherish it. It's OK to be different. We're best friends. Daniel gives me more of what I would have here. Because this is the happiest kid, this kid is the happiest kid you will meet. He lives life to the fullest." The boys' mother, Consuelo Olivera Faria, said seeing them compete together should be a message to the world about people with disabilities - don't count them out. "So emotional just seeing them doing that together, because Daniel being like that, people think he has a miserable life. Or bored. But they proved that is not true, they can be happy, they can enjoy life," said Faria.
Irish Independent
31-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Life for this Cork boy (12) with cerebral palsy has been ‘transformed' by this vital charity
Alison Lynch says a Cork-based charity has transformed the life of her son, who lives with Cerebral Palsy Today at 03:00 A Cork mother says a Cork charity has played an instrumental role in helping her son with Cerebral Palsy navigate his life's major challenges into his teenage years, Alison Lynch's son Oliver was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy after a complication during birth, flagged during an early cranial scan. Ironically, it was brother Reuben's scans that led the twins to receive the extra attention.
