World Cerebral Palsy Day falls on Sunday 6 October 2019 and the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS) is asking the public to help raise awareness about cerebral palsy in the month of October 2019.
The #StandWithSuzy campaign recalls the Suzy Doll donation boxes that were once a familiar sight around Singapore.
The life-sized figure of a girl in a blue dress and leg brace was first introduced in 1984 and helped to raise funds for the Spastic Children’s Association of Singapore. In 2013, the charity’s name was changed to Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore.
What is Cerebral Palsy & CPAS
Cerebral palsy is a physical disability that affects movement and posture. It is caused by illness or injury to the brain before or during birth, or early in life. This results in different challenges and needs in terms of learning, working and daily living activities for those who live with it.
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Today, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore serves over 700 children and adults with cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. The charity provides highly subsidised programmes and services which include special education, therapy services, a day activity centre, training and sheltered employment.
#StandWithSuzy in October 2019
Nowadays, it is getting harder and harder to find the Suzy Dolls around Singapore. There are currently only around 30 of them remaining around the island. While the funds collected through these physical donation boxes are diminishing, online donations are increasing.
To support the #StandWithSuzy campaign, take a picture of your favourite soft toy or pet and pose like Suzy with her teddy bear. Share the picture on social media and ask two friends to do so as well.
The campaign runs from 4 to 31 October 2019 and was launched together with a new video about Suzy at the CPAS World Cerebral Palsy Day celebrations graced by Mr Desmond Choo, Member of Parliament and North East District Mayor.
You can also make a donation online through the CPAS website. The website also outlines how donations of different denominations can help CPAS’ beneficiaries.
“Persons with cerebral palsy may need a great deal of effort to remain in a standing posture, or may not be able to stand independently. By standing with Suzy, we hope to create more awareness of persons with the condition, and support them in any way they can,” said Ms Latha Kutty, Executive Director, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore.
For more information, visit the CPAS website here.