Community Partners
American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine
The American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) is an Academy of over 1,100 health professionals dedicated to providing multidisciplinary scientific education and promoting excellence in research and services for the benefit of people with and at risk for cerebral palsy and other childhood-onset disabilities. Dr. Joshua Hyman is on the AACPDM board of leadership.
Blythedale Children's Hospital and Burke Neurological Institute
The Blythedale Children’s Hospital is dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of children with complex medical illnesses and disabling conditions, through superb multi-disciplinary care, teaching, research and advocacy programs. The Weinberg Family CP Center partners with the Burke Neurological Institute and Blythedale Children’s Hospital in research collaboration to improve movement impaired by cerebral palsy.
The Cerebral Palsy Foundation
The Cerebral Palsy Foundation is an organization that defines and addresses Moments of Impact–the times at which interventions and insights, if properly implemented, have the power to change lives. With their Collaborative Network, they bring together many of the country’s most prestigious medical institutions, as well as innovative thinkers in diverse areas such as technology and media, in order to accelerate not only the development of critical advances, but also their delivery. Their focus is on the translational research, clinical application and knowledge transfer that can dramatically change lives today. We partner with CPF in multiple initiatives.
Cerebral Palsy Soccer
CP Soccer’s mission is to build a nationwide soccer league for kids who are affected by cerebral palsy, stroke, or traumatic brain injury. Currently, there is a clear path in the U.S. for able-bodied kids to play soccer throughout their youth and up to the highest levels, culminating in the Olympics. For people with developmental disabilities, there are programs like TOPS Soccer, which leads to the Special Olympics at the highest level. Paralympic Soccer is the highest level of play for people with physical disabilities, who are otherwise developmentally able. While there are national feeder systems for Olympic Soccer and Special Olympic Soccer, there has been no national program for kids who would qualify for the Paralympics, until now.
Dancing Dreams
Dancing Dreams was created by Joann Ferrara, a pediatric physical therapist, who was inspired to make the dancing dreams of children come true when one day a little girl with cerebral palsy in a tiara and tutu said simply, “I wish I could be a dancer, but nobody wants me.” Dancing Dreams has grown from five girls to, currently, 130 girls and boys. Classes are adapted so each child can participate to the best of his or her own unique ability, so any child who is physically or medically challenged with a dream to dance! Dancing Dreams is based on abilities—not disabilities. This allows each dancer to advance within their own limits and maximize their own potential.
The New York City Ballet
The Weinberg Family CP Center partners with the NYC Ballet for seasonal workshops for children and adults with disabilities. These workshops are free and dancers can join the artists of New York City Ballet in an exploration of the music, movement, and themes of some of NYCB's most treasured repertory. No prior dance experience needed.
