Side-Event at UN COSP18

Public perceptions of disability are dominated by notions of suffering and victimhood. Yet for persons with cerebral palsy and other early-onset disabilities, this is their starting point in life. Rather than regret the loss of functionality they never had, they have to make the most of the abilities they do. They and their families are not so much victims as warriors, fighting for their rights against a system that seems designed to exclude them. In the face of adversity, many excel and make an outsized impact on society around them. 

This side-event hosted by the Government of Luxembourg will focus on the lessons to be learned from the experiences of four remarkable individuals with cerebral palsy, the impact they have had on social development in different areas, as well as the barriers and challenges they faced in fighting for their rights and dignity.

Welcome Words

Myriam Zimmer, Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees, Luxembourg

Rachel Byrne, Executive Director, Cerebral Palsy Foundation

Panel Discussion: Thought-Leaders living with Cerebral Palsy

Andwele Boyce, Senator, National Disability Advocate, Barbados

Ila Eckhoff, Chair, Cerebral Palsy Foundation; Former Managing Director, BlackRock

Jonathan J Kaufman, Consultant and Executive Coach, Author for The Valuable 500

Dr Lee Yung Schuh, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare

Concluding Remarks

John Coughlan, Secretary General, International Cerebral Palsy Society

Live Stream on UN Web TV