Aspace Zaragoza calls for greater support for families of people with cerebral palsy

People with cerebral palsy, families, professionals and representatives of the Board of Trustees of Fundación Aspace Zaragoza jointly read the manifesto for World Cerebral Palsy Day on Tuesday, during a gathering held at the organization to share demands, experiences and, above all, their shared commitment to continuing to advance rights and support. The collective reading of the manifesto was one of the central moments of a day designed as a meeting place for the people who are part of Aspace Zaragoza’s daily life. The event also included a screening of the video for the #CuidarSinRenunciar campaign, launched by Confederación Aspace under the slogan “The greatest gift is caring without giving up.” CARING WITHOUT GIVING UP ONE’S OWN LIFE PROJECT The 2026 manifesto calls for families of people with cerebral palsy to have the support they need not only to provide care, but also to work, rest, look after their own health and develop their personal lives. It also delivers a clear message: public authorities must guarantee this support throughout people’s lives. “Families cannot be solely responsible for this care,” the document states, calling for greater shared responsibility from public authorities and society. Its main demands include guaranteeing specialized support and care throughout the life cycle, facilitating work-life balance, strengthening Early Intervention, improving coordination between healthcare, education and social services, and expanding specialized residential resources for aging people with cerebral palsy. The manifesto also calls for assistance with assistive products and communication systems, respite services for families, psychological support, sufficient funding for specialized organizations and a State Strategy for Extensive Support Needs. A CELEBRATION LED BY THOSE WHO LIVE THIS REALITY EVERY DAY At Aspace Zaragoza, the celebration of World Day sought to convey these demands through the voices of those who know this reality firsthand. The gathering brought together people with cerebral palsy, families and professionals, reinforcing the idea that advancing autonomy, inclusion and quality of life requires a support network that accompanies both individuals and their families throughout the different stages of life. “We commemorated this day by having people with cerebral palsy and professionals who are part of the organization read the manifesto. The aim is to highlight the fundamental role of families, people with cerebral palsy themselves and the professionals at Fundación Aspace Zaragoza, who, with the necessary support, enable them to lead full, accessible lives with rights,” said Pablo Escanero, manager of Aspace Zaragoza. “This year’s slogan reminds us that families also need to be cared for. As the mother of a girl with a severe disability, no one can know how exhausting day-to-day life is until they experience it. You have to care, accompany, anticipate, battle bureaucracy and keep track of everything… It is a journey that never ends,” said Beatriz Barrios Bardavío, mother of Ainhoa, a girl with multiple disabilities and cerebral palsy who attends San Germán Special Education School. “I need to be able to care for my daughter, but also rest, work, look after my health, socialize and have a life of my own. Caring for our children should not mean stopping caring for ourselves, and for that we need real support: so we can care and live,” added Beatriz Barrios, who is also a member of the organization’s Board of Trustees.