DOCUMENT

8 | THE REVIEW JAN–APR 2022 Dedication ensures Cerebral Palsy Society’s success From dedicated parents, to influential doctors and inspiring members, the former editor of The Review and Cerebral Palsy Societymember, looks back on 70 years of history. By ROSS FLOOD In 2021, thanks to the inexhaustible enthusiasm of its pioneer volunteers, the Cerebral Palsy Society celebrated its 70th year. Some remarkable characters reside in the Society’s historical archives, including the 16 people with Cerebral Palsy who organised the first Cerebral Palsy Conference, the parents’ group, and much later, the people who brought business acumen, at exactly the right time. The foundation stone of our Society is directly attributed to the first Cerebral Palsy Conference which happened from December 28, 1950 to January 4, 1951, thanks to Jim Battensby. The conference ended by laying the foundations for a fellowship, which was the forerunner of our Society. To use the vernacular of the day it was called ….er ….. The Spastic Fellowship. Their aim was to build networks of mutual help and encouragement towards independence. Two significant events preceded the conference - the visit of Dr Earl Carlson and the arrival of Dr G.A.Q Lennane. The pair raised much needed awareness of Cerebral Palsy in New Zealand in the late 1940’s.