Q: I read in the AJC that famed door-to-door salesman Bill Porter recently died at 81. Porter had cerebral palsy. What is the life expectancy of someone with this disease?
—Debbie Lary, Lithonia
A: The life expectancy of people with cerebral palsy varies with the severity of the disease, access to medical care, overall living conditions and other factors. People with cerebral palsy can live long lives, like Porter, who died earlier this month. Porter, who had severe cerebral palsy, was a door-to-door salesman whose life was portrayed in a 2002 TV movie called "Door to Door." Porter couldn't use his right hand and talked and walked with difficulty, but often walked 10 miles a day on his rounds in Portland, Ore. According to cpinfo.org, a "comprehensive cerebral palsy resource," a 2008 study found:
- In general, males and females with mild cerebral palsy have lifespans significantly shorter than the general population.
- The more severe the symptoms of cerebral palsy, the shorter the person's life expectancy.
- Young adult males and females fed by tube or by other people have a far shorter life expectancy than the general population.
- Individuals who cannot lift their heads as young adults have a much shorter life span than the general population.
- Individuals with cerebral palsy who walk unaided have the longest lifespans, which are slightly shorter than lifespans in the general population.
Treatment and therapy can extend the life expectancy of a person with cerebral palsy.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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