When Julie Worton gave birth to her first son, Oscar, she was over the moon. But she soon became concerned about his development. Nicola Juncar speaks to her about discovering her little boy has cerebral palsy and what it means for their future.

WATCHING Oscar Worton happily play with his toys in his home, it is difficult to see how he is different from other toddlers. A cheeky grin spreads across his face as he enjoys the attention as his picture is taken. But at eight months old, Oscar was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and although the news came as a devastating blow to his mum Julie, it was also a relief.

The 32-year-old, who lives with her son in Yarm, used to work as a health visitor and her suspicions that something just wasn't quite right started soon after the birth.

"I had known for some time that Oscar wasn't developing in the same way as other babies and toddlers," she says. "But after having so many consultations with doctors and tests for a variety of things, when he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, the news came as a relief.

"At last we knew what it was. We had a name for what was affecting his development and because of this, it meant we could start working on things that might be able to help him."

Cerebral palsy is not a disease - you can't "catch" it, but neither can it be cured. The many causes of the condition include an infection while still in the womb - such as a pregnant woman contracting German measles - a difficult birth, a genetic disorder, a bleed in the baby's brain, or when the baby's brain forms abnormally for no apparent reason. The condition usually occurs during pregnancy or infancy and affects muscle control and co-ordination.

"I started to realise that something wasn't quite right when he was just a baby. His eyes kept rolling to the back of his head and he couldn't focus on anything," says Julie. "He also wouldn't sit up straight and couldn't control his arms. When he was getting older, he wasn't standing or trying to walk, as you would expect children his age to do."

Although this is a condition Oscar, now 19 months old, will have for the rest of his life, it is not a progressive illness. Due to advances in research, therapists now work closely with parents and families of children with cerebral palsy to ensure they understand their child's needs and help them progress as best they can.

Julie has been receiving such help from The Bobath Centre, based in London. The charity was established in the 1940s and the main aim of its treatment is to encourage and increase the child's ability to move and function in as normal a way as possible.

Julie says: "We have been to the centre twice and each time was for a two-week period. During this time, the staff worked with me on a one-to-one basis and Oscar was seen by a physiotherapist and speech therapist. The staff would tell me how to position him and how to move him, as well as telling me certain exercises that I could introduce into day-to-day life back home."

This is done because children with cerebral palsy tend to stick to limited positions, or become stiff, and unless they are encouraged to do otherwise, their development is hampered.

For example, if a child with cerebral palsy uses one side of his body more than the other, maybe by rolling always to the right and not the left, his body will not develop symmetrically.

This, in turn, makes the development of balance, eye-hand co-ordination, perceptual skills and movements difficult. It can also contribute to the development of contractures, deformities and hip dislocation.

Similarly, if a child with the condition can stand up only by stiffening his legs, he will tend to stand on his toes and in time, his legs will become even stiffer.

He will also move about on the floor on his tummy, using his arms to pull himself along. This may result in his arms being bent too much at the elbows and therefore, at a later stage, he may find it difficult to stretch them out to reach for objects, or to support himself on his extended arms.

Julie says: "As well as helping Oscar's development, the centre is also a good way to meet other families in the same situation. It's nice to know you are not alone and the parents can meet up and share their ideas, too."

As with most things, however, The Bobath Centre comes at a price.

Oscar's last visit cost more than £2,000 and as well as the treatment, Julie has to arrange accommodation and travel.

"The first time we went, it was funded by the local health authority," but I had to raise funds for the second visit," she says. "The waiting list can be around six to eight months, but I hope to return with Oscar in February or March next year."

* To help raise funds for the treatment, Julie is organising a charity night at Vida Soccer Sensations, in Eaglescliffe, on Saturday, November 26. It will run from 7pm to 11pm and will include a raffle, sponsored leg waxing and various other activities. There will also be an auction and one of the items being put under the hammer is a signed Middlesbrough football shirt, with 22 signatures from the squad. Tickets are available on the door.

* To find out more about The Bobath Centre and its work, or how to support it by making a donation, visit www.bobath.org.uk