Cabaret for cerebral palsy research

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Niki Sorrentino decided to take time out of her busy schedule as a student at Touro Law School and as a paralegal at New York City-based Zodiac Finance on Jan. 20, to sing at a fundraiser for Cerebral Palsy of Nassau County, on the closing night of her cabaret show, “Filthy Gorgeous.”

At the show, Sorrentino, a 38-year-old Valley Stream resident, sang mash-up songs, such as “Get the Party Started” and “Hot Stuff,” while guests ate from a prepared menu. The dinner show cost $100, with all of the proceeds supporting Cerebral Palsy of Nassau County. By the end of the night, Sorrentino had raised about $3,000.

Sorrentino said she decided to raise money for the cause because she grew up around people with CP.

“My mom is a retired special-ed teacher and administrator … and when I was a kid, [I] went to work with her a lot,” Sorrentno said. Accompanying her mom gave her exposure to children with special needs that most children didn’t have, she said, “and not only those with CP, so it’s nice to give back.”

According to MyChild, a web resource providing information about Cerebral Palsy,, CP is a neurological disorder caused either by brain injury or abnormal development in a child’s brain. The disorder affects body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance.

Cerebral Palsy of Nassau County is an independent not-for-profit health agency that serves more than 1,800 children and adults with the disorder. It was founded in 1948 and operates a comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation center in Roosevelt.

“We have changed literally thousands of lives for the better,” said Pat Quinn, the community outreach manager for Cerebral Palsy of Nassau County.

The money Sorrentino raised will go to fund speech therapy programs, buy wheelchairs and help children walk.

“We have a million different needs, so the money goes to good use,” Quinn said.

To donate to Cerebral Palsy of Nassau County, visit www.cpnassau.org.