Steptember: The Significance of a Single Step

Set against the backdrop of the incredible Sydney skyline on the top floor of Salesforce Tower, I had a revelation. Australia stands tall as a world champion in the area of Cerebral Palsy. Not only are we pioneering in reducing the occurrence and severity of cerebral palsy, but we also proudly boast of a world champion athlete with cerebral palsy. Astonishingly, these are two revelations I should have been aware of for deeply personal reasons, which I'll delve into shortly.

At this enlightening celebration of Steptember, our world champion athlete made a poignant observation: non-disabled people often take every step for granted. This is where the brilliance of StepTember shines, placing intentionality behind every step taken. Every single stride is a step towards bettering lives, both today and for the future.

Our Company's Journey with Steptember

STEPtember , an initiative we wholeheartedly embraced, is not just about physical movement but also about mobilising awareness around cerebral palsy. This marked In Marketing We Trust's maiden Steptember, a journey initiated through a personal connection between our Head of Corporate Services, Martin Dunk , and Pat Curtin at Cerebral Palsy Alliance. With the baton passed to our People & Culture Executive, Remie Plehan, the enthusiasm across our entire team was palpable. Our goal was simple: raise awareness about CP and catalyse movement. In typical fashion, our competitive spirit saw us forming internal teams, each vying for the top spot.

Our collective strides culminated in millions of steps in support of cerebral palsy. Given our global footprint, our team, scattered across continents, shared glimpses of their incredible walks.

A Personal Connection with Cerebral Palsy

To many of my colleagues and friends, my connection with cerebral palsy isn't unfamiliar. My sister beautiful and kind sister, Lara, lives with cerebral palsy. This condition, coupled with other challenges, has added layers of complexity to her everyday life. Cerebral palsy has been a part of our family's story for over three decades. While CP has brought moments of sadness and frustration, my experience has mostly been joy, getting to watch Lara live her best life surrounded by incredible caregivers. 

Illuminating Insights from the Speakers at the CEO Thank You Event

Rob White, the visionary CEO of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance , adeptly themed the evening around world champions. He underscored Australia's pioneering strides in CP mitigation and treatment.

Then came Nadia Badawi AM, the Macquarie Foundation Chair of Cerebral Palsy at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute. Her globally recognised research on newborn encephalopathy and cerebral palsy has positioned her as one of the leading experts in the field. Her talk highlighted the groundbreaking advances in CP care through neonatal intensive care, outcomes post-neonatal treatment, and the broader spectrum of CP research. Her vision is a testament to Australia's leadership in CP research and advocacy. 

Adding a cool touch to the evening was Ben Tudhope, the world-champion Paralympian snowboarder. While Ben prides himself on his speed, I'd argue that had I gone pro, he might have had a worthy adversary. At only 23, Ben has notched up impressive feats, including a bronze medal at the 2022 Beijing Paralympics and being a World Cup Champion.

A heartfelt thanks to Frank Fillmann and Rowena Westphalen at Salesforce. Hosting such an event isn't just about providing a venue—it's about catalysing life-altering change.

It's Time to Step Forward, Together

In the realm of Cerebral Palsy advancement, Australia rightfully holds the title of a world champion. This pride extends beyond organisations like CPA and visionaries like Professor Badawi. It includes our para-athletes like Ben Tudhope, who inspire and defy the odds. Yet, in this journey, let's not overlook the countless individuals and businesses fueling the mission of CPA.

There are many ways you can get involved: by participating in initiatives like STEPtember, making donations, or simply spreading awareness. It's a group effort to create a better future.

Take Action & Donate

Every journey, story, and experience with cerebral palsy is unique. Whether you have cerebral palsy, a family member or friend living with CP, or are inspired by stories of resilience and accomplishment, your voice matters. If CP has touched your life in any way, I invite you to share your experience, insights, and thoughts. Let's create a collection of stories that inspire, inform, and bring about change.

For those interested in contributing or learning more, the Cerebral Palsy Alliance is a beacon of hope and progress in this field. I encourage you to visit the CPA website and make a donation. By supporting CPA, we not only help them remain world champions of cerebral palsy research, treatment and advocacy but also enable them to share this valuable knowledge with others to help families here in Australia and worldwide - families just like mine.