YOUNG people living with cerebral palsy are being urged to help with a new research project.

A team from the University of Brighton is launching a study to find out more about the lives of those with the condition.

The aim is to try to develop and find ways to help people get involved with positive life opportunities.

The university’s senior lecturer in occupational therapy Paul Boyle wants to hear from people with cerebral palsy who are aged between 18 and 25 and who use wheelchairs all the time.

They will be asked if they would be willing to write about their experiences and want to be interviewed.

Mr Boyle said: “I want to find out more about the lives of young people affected by cerebral palsy as they mature from adolescence to adulthood.”

Cerebral palsy affects one in 400 children in the UK.

It is one of the largest groups of people living with disability.

The condition places heavy demands on health, education, social services and families.

Mr Boyle said 90 per cent of children with cerebral palsy reach adulthood.

He said: “Practitioners know that conditions such as cerebral palsy can curtail a person’s capacity to function in society due to limitations with mobility and self-initiated movement.

“It is common for posture to be compromised.

“As a consequence, limited ability to participate or to be independent often results in a life with ongoing varying levels of disability throughout the lifespan.

“Adults with cerebral palsy are more likely to be disadvantaged in terms of recreational activity, socialisation and employment.

“A 2013 study found young adults with cerebral palsy are functionally and socially disadvantaged compared with their non-disabled peers.

“It highlighted the need to improve arrangements for such young people.

“Achieving the right to be included in mainstream society was firmly placed within the context of national legislation in the UK during the beginning of this century.

“The study aims to explore the lived experience of transition from adolescence to adulthood for young people with cerebral palsy and in so doing throw light on what might promote positive life opportunities.”

Anyone interested in taking part in the study can contact Mr Boyle by emailing p.boyle@brighton.ac.uk.

Cerebral palsy is the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affect movement and co-ordination.

It is caused by a problem with the brain that occurs before, during or soon after birth.

The symptoms of cerebral palsy are not usually obvious just after a baby is born.

They normally become noticeable during the first two or three years of a child’s life.

Symptoms can include delays in reaching development milestones.

This could be not sitting by eight months or not walking by 18 months.

Other symptoms include seeming too stiff or too floppy, weak arms or legs, fidgety, jerky or clumsy movements and walking on tip-toes.

The severity of symptoms can vary significantly with some people only having minor problems while others are severely disabled.