Young local who explain in their own words what it’s like to live with cerebral palsy in an innovative film were delighted to attend its red carpet premiere.

Families, health professionals and the stars of the film themselves watched Cerebral People, at a special preview at East London Headway in Kingsland Road last Thursday night.

The making of the film has been part of a cutting edge project run by the physiotherapy and occupational therapy team who work with teenagers with neuro disabilities at Hackney Ark in Downs Park Road, Lower Clapton.

The eight minute film sees the teenagers describing in their own words what it’s like to live for them to live with the disease, and how they seek to fulfil their potential as individuals.

he term cerebral palsy refers to any one of a number of neurological disorders which appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body movement and muscle coordination but don’t worsen over time.

Dolapo Yussuf, 15, found the best part of the project had been meeting other people with the same condition and learning more about it.

He said: “I think its really important for me to know about it especially because I’m older now. I think the project helps to educate people about cerebral palsy and the challenges that people with the condition may face - but I feel determined and positive about the future and although there may be challenges I will definitely be ready to face them.”

Maxine Darby, clinical lead for children’s physiotherapy at Hackney Ark said: “The film reflects what we have been doing with the young people over the summer in exploring ways in which we can help empower and educate to understand and take ownership over their disability as they approach adulthood.

“Emerging evidence suggests that a good understanding of a given diagnosis enables better self-management and health outcomes into adulthood.