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World Cerebral Palsy Day has been observed since 6 October 2012. Not only is it a recognition for cerebral palsy patients, but also a nod to cerebral palsy caregivers including neighbours, relatives, domestic helpers, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, hydrotherapists and speech therapists. This list contains some films which shine a light on cerebral palsy, the umbrella term for a group of disorders that affect one’s motor skills, speech and/or thinking capacity – although it must be noted that no two cerebral palsy cases are exactly the same. Perhaps, this is in line with the tagline for 2024, which is aptly ‘Uniquely Cerebral Palsy’ (CP).

Out of My Mind

There’s been much coverage on the Disney+ Original Film, adapted from the novel by Sharon M. Draper. Out of My Mind depicts a story of a sixth grader who has cerebral palsy and the ups and downs she encounters within and outside school grounds. Fortunately, she has loving parents who fight for what is right, especially when the main character outshines those who try to bring her down. Jennifer Aniston is to portray the main character’s inner voice, for a person who struggles with verbal communication.

Music Within

Advocating for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the film are two characters that harmonise to bring the music within, despite their difficulties – one has hearing difficulties and the other diagnosed as having cerebral palsy. Ron Livingston and Michael Sheen help bring the characters to life. Music Within is a 2007 film.

Beautiful Minds

Beautiful Minds (2021), also known as Presque in French is a Swiss-French film. From research, it seems like the movie is available via Amazon Prime. The film is an ode to the most unlikely of friendships and bonds. In the film, one of the characters is a deliveryman who has cerebral palsy, and another who works as a hearse manager. The duo embarks on a journey to the South of France and as time passes, they discover that they’re not so different after all.

We Won’t Drop the Baby

We Won’t Drop the Baby presents an interesting take on cerebral palsy – despite their wobbly worlds as husband and wife diagnosed with cerebral palsy, they are determined not to take the easy way out and forgo their pregnancies/babies. Perhaps, this can qualify as a not so typical film on cerebral palsy, as Laurence Clarke, the husband shown in this 50-minute documentary, is a comedian himself.

A Simple Act

A Simple Act takes its viewers through the rollercoaster ride that is cerebral palsy, much more pressurising especially when a heart surgery left one of two parents unable to care for their 8-year-old son, who has cerebral palsy. Fortunately, the burden is lightened when a high school student who is also a footballer extended help to the parents of two children – one of whom born without cerebral palsy.

King GIMP: The Dan Keplinger Story

This Oscar-winning 1999 documentary follows the development of Dan Keplinger between the ages of 12 and 25 as a talented artist, who has difficulty controlling his arm, leg and mouth muscles. Despite it, his art continues to be a powerful medium of expression.

37 Seconds

In 37 Seconds, you’ll be introduced to a 23-year-old Yuma Takada, an aspiring manga artist, who has cerebral palsy as a result of a challenging birth. Finding out from a magazine editor that Takada’s art is unimpressive forces Takada into a journey of self-discovery, even if it means breaking yet another barrier at home in the form of her overprotective mother.