Renowned cerebral palsy (CP) advocate Lily Collison today received an Honorary Doctorate from University College Cork in recognition of her pioneering work.
Motivated by her son Tommy’s diagnosis of spastic diplegia, Lily has been dedicated to improving outcomes for those affected by CP. A member of the board of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, and has played a pivotal role in securing funding for CP initiatives in Ireland.
Lily is the author of Spastic Diplegia–Bilateral Cerebral Palsy, a groundbreaking resource for families and healthcare professionals and co-author of Pure Grit: Stories of Remarkable People Living with Physical Disability.
The campaigner is one of the authors of the Gillette Children’s Healthcare Series, a series of books launched this week that are designed to aid the parents of children childhood-acquired physical and/or neurological conditions. These books not only provide critical insights into childhood-acquired physical and/or neurological conditions, but all proceeds support research.
Each book provides a detailed medical explanation of the condition and the evidence-based, best-practice treatments and includes the lived experience of families. The goal of the series is to empower families and help optimise outcomes for those living with these conditions.
Speaking ahead of her Honorary Conferring, UCC President Prof. John O’Halloran said:
“Lily’s work continues to influence the lives of individuals with disabilities worldwide, empowering families, shaping research, and improving the care available to people with CP. Lily’s advocacy has led to transformative partnerships, including a significant collaboration with us here in UCC, where we established the ELEVATE Programme to improve early detection and treatment of brain injury and CP. Her many years of tireless advocacy, makes her a very worthy recipient of an Honorary Doctorate,” he said.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lily asked the new medical and health graduates present not to forget children and those with disability, as they tend to be more underserved in medicine and health.
“Success is not about personal achievement–it’s about impact. Use your power of one to uplift others, challenge the status quo, and contribute to a better world,” she said.
