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The National Cerebral Palsy Day - 20 October - marked for the first time, in 2014, was instituted by the resolution of the Assembly of the Republic No. 27/2014, of 7 March.

Cerebral Palsy (CP), the most common disability in childhood, is characterized by permanent neurological changes that affect motor and cognitive development, involving movement and body posture.

These changes are secondary to a developing brain injury and can occur during pregnancy, birth or the neonatal period, causing limitations in daily activities.

One of the main causes of CP is hypoxia, a situation in which, for some reason related to childbirth, both concerning the mother and the fetus, there is a lack of oxygenation in the brain, resulting in a brain injury.

In addition to the lack of oxygenation, there are other, less recurrent complications that can cause CP: placenta or umbilical cord abnormalities, infections, diabetes, hypertension (eclampsia), malnutrition, drug and alcohol use during pregnancy, trauma at delivery, haemorrhage, fetal hypoglycaemia, genetic problems, prematurity.

The rehabilitation of people with cerebral palsy requires the intervention of a multidisciplinary team that can greatly improve their quality of life, and it is important that their social and work skills are recognized, so as to enable their participation and social inclusion.