Rob White
Rob White is Chief Executive Officer of Cerebral Palsy Alliance. Mr White has over 20 years of service with the organisation and engagement with the disability sector. He has been Chief Executive Officer since 2000. Mr White has led service innovation and expansion and has been influential in shaping public policy in disability service provision. He has been instrumental in furthering research into the cure and prevention of cerebral palsy. Externally he has built successful corporate partnerships that have supported major advances in service delivery and in research effort.
Having had the privilege of serving our organisation for well over two decades, I have seen extraordinary change. For the most part, this has improved the quality of life for people with cerebral palsy and their families. Technology that assists with communication and mobility has been a significant driver, as have been funding increases, through government contributions, and corporate and community support.
The advances have been significant, and yet in many ways for individuals and their families, the personal experience of cerebral palsy remains very much unchanged. Cerebral palsy is still a life-long condition; the emotional response of parents is universally profound, and parents still face uncertainty about the availability of long-term support and care for their adult son or daughter.
I would like to be able to do more about these challenging issues. To make inroads, we need the collective determination of all those who support our cause. We are working to increase our funding base through grants and community donations so that we can offer innovative services to a greater number of people with cerebral palsy and their families.
To address the issues of funding uncertainty, we are working hard to support the campaign for a National Disability Insurance Scheme which would provide peace of mind for individuals and families.
We continue to support research into the prevention and cure of cerebral palsy. As we now know that there are multiple causal pathways to cerebral palsy, this is no small task. Yet we are undaunted and continue to seek out and support in best research in the world.
In 2010 Cerebral Palsy Alliance (previously The Spastic Centre) celebrated its 65th anniversary. We feel we have a great deal to celebrate when we look back to our beginnings in 1945 in a house in Mosman.
The spirit of the original group of parents who started our organisation is still evident today, and we are fortunate that it also touches people in the community who continue to demonstrate their generosity. We have been able to build our services for people with cerebral palsy with ongoing support from the New South Wales and Federal governments and from our corporate and individual supporters.
Each phase of Cerebral Palsy Alliance’s development has been exciting and not without its challenges. I am constantly heartened by the dedication and creativity of our staff who, on a day-to-day basis, put the needs of people with cerebral palsy first.
Our President, Mrs Marelle Thornton, AM, has played a large part in shaping the history of Cerebral Palsy Alliance with her 27-year involvement on the Board of Directors. She is an inspiration to all who come in contact with her, and I very much appreciate her personal support and that of her fellow Directors who contribute hundreds of voluntary hours each year to the governance of our organisation.
I consider myself indeed fortunate to be part of such a great organisation and to serve our mission of building futures for people with cerebral palsy.
Rob White
