Cerebral Palsy Law Blog : Cerebral Palsy Lawyer & Attorney : Burke & Eisner Law Firm : Medical Malpractice Lawyers & Attorneys

Parents and others who care for a cerebral palsy child often forget to take care of themselves. However, it’s important for caregivers to care for their own well-being – to receive for themselves the care, support, and encouragement they so selflessly give to their child. 

There are numerous resources available for caregivers. One particularly notable resource for family caregivers is the National Family Caregivers Association, or the NFCA. The group’s website helps to connect caregivers, as well as provide them with resources such as:

• Tips and tools
• Organizations and agencies with information on insurance, respite and training for caregivers
• Advocacy information
• Newsletters and other publications related to caregiving
• Educational resources
• More

Check out the NFCA website to see all that it has to offer.

 

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The American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) will be holding its 63rd annual meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona in September. The meeting is open to healthcare professionals, special education teachers, and anyone else who is interested or involved in the care of a cerebral palsy child.
 

The theme of this year’s meeting is Frontiers of Innovation: Combining Technology and Therapy to Improve Outcomes and will feature (among other things):

• Lectures and paper presentations
• Debates
• Vendor exhibits
• Breakfast with the experts
• Specialty sessions

To find out more about the meeting or to register to attend, visit the AACPDM website.  

 

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Nearly 14 percent of children in America have some kind of special health care needs, including those who are affected by cerebral palsy. Though it is not often talked about, kids with cerebral palsy symptoms and other special needs sometimes suffer from mental health problems in addition to their physical impairments. Early intervention can reduce the impact of such problems in children, and there are a number of resources parents can take advantage of to help their child.
 

In fact, the National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center has a listing of national and state resources for supporting the mental health needs of young children. Find a resource near you by visiting the NCCIC website today.

 

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You don’t have to feel helpless if you are the parent of a cerebral palsy child. You are your child’s greatest advocate and though it may not always seem to be the case, your voice does matter. Below are five tips on how to be the most effective advocate for your child:
 

1. Choose an issue of importance to you and your child – Is it education? Accessibility? Healthcare? Once you have your issue, ask yourself what you would like to see accomplished and then list ways in which this might be achieved.

2. Find other supporters – Parents, healthcare groups, disability organizations, and government officials working on similar issues can be of great assistance to you.

3. Share your story – Educate others by sharing your story with lawmakers, civic groups, non-profit organizations and professional societies. You may even want to write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.

4. Never give up – Changing policy is no easy feat, but don’t let this get you down. Persistence is key.

5. Vote – Make sure to choose candidates whose interests are in line with yours.

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Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are types of braces commonly used to treat certain cerebral palsy symptoms – for instance, AFOs may be used to support weak limbs or they may be used to hold contracted muscles in a normal position.

Fit is everything when it comes to AFOs. In fact, achieving optimal results depends on the proper fit and alignment of the brace. But how, as a parent, can you determine whether or not your child’s brace fits properly? Registered Orthotic Assistant and Certified Fitter of Orthotics, Loretta Sheldon, answers this question in a  new article on eParent.com.

In the article, Sheldon provides a number of tips and things to look for when evaluating the fit of your child’s brace, including:

• The space between the heel and the heel cup
• Toe length and extra room for growth
• Brace height and width

Sheldon also discusses brace habituation (adjusting to wear) and working with your clinician. If an AFO has been recommended for your child, this article will prove a helpful resource.




 

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It’s that time of year when parents are looking at education opportunities, alternatives and colleges for their cerebral palsy child. Education for the disability community has been in the news quite a bit recently, and we’ve come across a few articles we’d like to share. Some are purely informational and others are great resources.

Disability-Specific Scholarships on Disaboom – a listing of scholarships for disabilities ranging from visual to physical

Special Education Receives Major Funding Boost on eParent.com – regarding education appropriations under the newly passed economic stimulus bill

Introducing the New Google Lime Scholarship on Google’s blog – for students with disabilities pursuing university degree’s in computer science.

Justices Hear Case on Tuition for the Disabled from the New York Times – regarding what parents must do to get their child’s special education at a private school paid for with taxpayer money

 

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With summer on the horizon, many families are planning for a vacation. For families with a cerebral palsy child, there are special considerations that need to be made. Below are some things you should consider when planning your trip:

Special hotel or air travel accommodations – For instance, if your child is in a wheelchair, you’ll probably want a room on the first floor of a hotel.  You’ll also need to know if the hotel room has a wheelchair accessible bathroom. For air travel, you should contact the airline ahead of time to ensure things go as smoothly as possible on the day of your flight.
 

Other travel accommodations – Are you renting a car? If so, does the vehicle need any modifications for your child? Will you need a specialized car seat?
 

Medication considerations – Make sure to pack any necessary medications (preferably in your carry-on). Remember to pack extra as a precaution. It’s better to have too much than not enough.
Insurance and emergency information – Having this information on hand could save you a lot of trouble should you need it.
 

Disability access – If you’re heading to a theme park or particular attraction, call in advance to make sure they’re accessible. You may also want to find out what kind of equipment they provide for patrons, such as wheelchairs and strollers.
 

Talk to your child about what to expect on your trip and allow your child time to regroup when necessary.

And last but not least, have fun!


 

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This year’s United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Annual Conference – Growing an Agile Potent Network – was held in San Francisco last weekend. In case you weren’t able to make it, UCP is helping you to catch up on what you missed.

The group’s blog (UCPeople.org) features several posts which overview the weekend’s events, sessions and current trends, including:

• Award for Excellence winners
• Siblings as caregivers
• Emerging technologies
• Social networking
• Legislative priorities
• More

UCP is a great resource for parents of a child with cerebral palsy or other disability. The organization is national with local affiliates across the country. If you have a cerebral palsy child, you can learn more about the condition, additional resources, advocacy and much more by contacting your local UCP affiliate.



 

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Summertime is approaching, and many parents are considering camp opportunities for their children. There are camps across the country that cater their programs to children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Below are a few resources that can help you in your search to find the best summer camp for your child:

Parenting Special Needs article on summer camps – provides detailed descriptions of various camps from Florida to Texas and California

UCP Listing of Summer Camps – offers comprehensive camp guides as well as information on individual camps

Very Special Camps – a website devoted to providing information on camps and programs for people with special needs. Camps can be searched according to a specific disability.
 

Easter Seals Residential and Day Camps – by contacting the organization through their website, you can learn more about Easter Seals camps across the U.S.

In our search for resources, we also came across two individual camps geared toward children with cerebral palsy: Shady Oaks Cerebral Palsy Camp in Homer Glen, Illinois and Camp Jabberwocky in Martha’s Vineyard. We think their sites might be worth checking out as well.

 

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Seizures often affect children with developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy. If your child has this cerebral palsy symptom, you might be interested in a live online seminar taking place on May 19th from 7:00-9:00 PM EDT.

The seminar will discuss developing a seizure readiness plan, among other things, and is geared toward parents, teachers, nurses, caregivers, emergency responders and anyone else who works with children affected by seizure disorders.

Dr. Orrin Devinsky, Professor of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, will be speaking. The event is free and registration is ongoing at www.epliveonlinc.com.

 

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It’s true that all children develop differently, but a number of important milestones help doctors and parents gauge the overall progress of a child’s motor, cognitive and language development. For instance, most babies start cooing by 3 months of age and can roll over by 6 months. Delays in meeting these developmental milestones may point to a number of conditions, including cerebral palsy.

What is cerebral palsy? – Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a group of movement disorders. There are different types of cerebral palsy, and these are generally categorized according to what side of the body is affected and whether the muscles are stiff or flaccid.

Additionally, the condition can range from mild to severe, though it does not worsen over time. There is no cure for cerebral palsy, and specific causes of the condition are largely unknown. However, it sometimes occurs as a result of medical negligence at birth.

To learn more about developmental milestones or if you’re concerned about your child’s development, check out  this chart at www.mychildwithoutlimits.org.

 

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According to My Child without Limits, nearly two-thirds of children with developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation and epilepsy also suffer from vision loss. The more severe the visual impairment, the more likely are additional health complications and delayed learning.

However, there is training and therapy available. If your child suffers from this particular cerebral palsy symptom, you may want to look into the following resources:

Family Connect, a site for parents of children with visual impairments
 

American Association of Pediatric Opthamology and Strabismus - AAPOS
 

Prevent Blindness America - Children's page

United Cerebral Palsy, My Child without Limits and the Easter Seals are additional organizations that may be able to assist you in your search for vision impairment resources.

 

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Your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy – the first and most obvious question you want to ask your doctor is “what is cerebral palsy?” The answer is rather broad, considering that cerebral palsy is a single term used to define a group of movement disorders. To get a better understanding of your child’s condition, ask your doctor the following:
 

What type of cerebral palsy does my child have? There are several types of cerebral palsy, including spastic, ataxic, athetoid and mixed. Knowing what type of cerebral palsy your child has will help you to better understand how to help him/her.

What are the possible treatment options? Each child’s treatment plan should be tailored to his/her individual needs, but your doctor may recommend anything from physical therapy to surgery.

Will my child’s condition improve? Cerebral palsy is not a progressive condition, meaning it will not worsen over time. However, various treatments may help to improve certain aspects of movement.

Does my child need to take medication? The answer to this question may depend on whether your child has associated conditions such as seizures.

What is the prognosis? There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but your doctor can discuss with you ways in which you can help to improve your child’s quality of life.

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One of the conditions often associated with cerebral palsy is seizures. Seizures are commonly prevented using one of two medications, both of which are classified as anticonvulsants and both of which have recently been linked to heart risks: phenytoin (Dilantin®) or carbamazepine (Tegetrol® and Carbatrol®).

Dilantin was first used in 1938 and has since been the most widely used anticonvulsant in the United States, while Tegetrol is more popular globally. However, researchers have linked these two anticonvulsants with increased levels of cholesterol and other markers of heart disease – a problem not found in patients taking the newer anti-seizure drugs levetiracetam (Keppra®) and lamotrigine (Lamictal®).

If your child experiences seizures as a cerebral palsy symptom, you may wish to talk to your doctor about the significance of this new study which is published online in the Annals of Neurology.

 

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The son of British opposition leader David Cameron recently died. The 6-year-old boy had cerebral palsy and a rare seizure disorder. His death has prompted many questions about cerebral palsy symptoms and causes, and the Associated Press published an article outlining the some basic information about the condition.

Among some of the facts highlighted in the article are:

Cerebral palsy affects approximately one in 500 babies born each year in the United States.

The condition affects the entire body in about 80 percent of cases.

It is often diagnosed in infancy or early childhood.

Symptoms include developmental delays such as difficulty rolling over, sitting, crawling and walking.

Associated conditions include mental retardation, vision impairment, breathing problems and skeletal deformities.

To learn more about cerebral palsy symptoms and other facts, you can access this Associated Press article.

 

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It’s natural for parents to feel a range of emotions when their child is diagnosed with a developmental disability like cerebral palsy, particularly in cases where the disability could have been prevented with proper medical care. Dealing with these emotions is not always easy, and many parents find they could use a little help.

Louise Gane from the M.I.N.D. Institute at the University of California at Davis recently did an interview with Disability Scoop on the topic of dealing with a diagnosis. She answers a few basic questions about coping with a diagnosis of developmental disability in a child and parents can even submit their own questions for her to answer.

Read the full interview at DisabilityScoop.com

 

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Financial worries are compounding for many families right now, some of whom have experienced job losses, loss of health insurance and even the threat of foreclosure. Among those hardest hit by the current economic recession are families caring for a child with cerebral palsy or other disability.

Shrinking state budgets often lead to the cutting of vital disability services and support, and this leaves many families in dire financial and emotional straits. It’s no surprise that given the high stakes of the economic downturn that the coming 2009 Disability Policy Seminar will focus on the funding of disability programs such as health care and long-term services.

The seminar, which is titled A New Era: Embracing Opportunities in the Face of Grave Challenges, will take place in Washington D.C. from April 27th-29th. Space is limited, so you may want to register now at UCP website if you’re interested.


 

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United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is a national CP association that has recently launched a new website aimed at helping families and professionals in four ways:

• to better understand developmental disabilities like cerebral palsy;
• to provide guidance with regard to early intervention services;
• to act as advocates for those with developmental disabilities; and
• to connect people through a social networking community.

The website is called My Child without Limits and in addition to the four main goals listed above, the site also features tips, news and resources.


 

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Cerebral palsy is one of the most common developmental disabilities diagnosed each year in the United States, yet there are a number of misconceptions about the condition. Below are some interesting facts regarding what cerebral palsy is, what causes it and its costs, among other things…

There are currently close to a million children and adults living with cerebral palsy in the United States.
 

Cerebral palsy is not a disease, nor is it a single disorder. The term cerebral palsy actually refers to a group of disorders that affect movement.
 

Three-quarters of people who are affected by cerebral palsy also have one or more additional disabilities such as autism, mental retardation, epilepsy and severe visual impairment.
 

The causes of cerebral palsy are largely unknown, but risk factors include low birth weight and premature birth. A small percentage of cerebral palsy cases are caused by lack of oxygen during birth, which is often preventable.
 

Research seems to suggest that the rates of cerebral palsy in the U.S. are increasing. Statistically, cerebral palsy was once estimated to affect 1 to 2 in 1,000 babies annually – the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now estimates cerebral palsy to affect about 3 in 1,000.
 

A person with cerebral palsy will spend over $1.5 million more than the average U.S. citizen over the course of his/her lifetime because of medical costs, prescriptions, special equipment and other such necessaries.
 

There is currently no cure for cerebral palsy, but various treatments and assistive technologies can improve the daily lives of those affected by the condition.



 

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Cerebral palsy is often not diagnosed until a child reaches one year of age or later, and many parents may not be aware of the signs and symptoms associated with this condition – which affects thousands of babies born in the U.S. each year.

One of the main signs that a child might have cerebral palsy is motor (or movement) delays. A list of other signs and symptoms parents should look out for can be found on the Reaching for the Stars (RFTS) website.  

RFTS is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering research efforts for the prevention and treatment of cerebral palsy. In addition to the information sheet on cerebral palsy symptoms, the site has a number of other helpful resources as well as opportunities for advocacy.

See Also: Cerebral Palsy Symptoms

 

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Officers from Wayne County Jail in Michigan are being sued for injuries suffered by Chelsie Barker during her birth 10 years ago, and attorneys for their defense are arguing that the officers are not liable for the girl’s injuries because she had no constitutional rights before she was born.

The lawsuit filed against the officers claims that they violated Chelsie’s constitutional rights by failing to get her jailed mother to the hospital for a safe delivery. However, the defense has cited the landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade, claiming that as a fetus Chelsie did not have rights as a person under the 14th Amendment.

That argument is a stretch.  Roe v. Wade has little to do with Chelsie’s birth, a fact with which U.S. District Judge Stephen Murphy III seems to agree. The judge described her injuries as “continuous,” occurring both before and after birth and said “there is no principled reason to distinguish” between them.
 
Irreversible Brain Damage
Chantrienes Barker was taken to Hutzel Hospital shortly before Chelsie’s birth but was discharged before the baby was born. Back at the jail, Barker’s labor pains intensified. For two hours, she was left without treatment while other inmates tried to alert the guards.

Chelsie was not breathing when she was born and the paramedics did not have the equipment to resuscitate her, the lawsuit states. She was taken to the hospital, but suffered brain damage as a result of the oxygen deprivation.

Lack of oxygen can cause significant injury including cerebral palsy. In Chelsea’s case, the brain damage was so severe that she will require round-the-clock care for the rest of her life.

See also:  What is Cerebral Palsy




 

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Several films being featured at this year’s Washington D.C. Independent Film Festival (DCIFF) explore the theme of “Power Within” as it relates to disability. Movies can be a great option for some family fun, and this festival may be especially worthwhile for families with children affected by cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

The festival runs from March 4th – 15th and those in the DC area may want to check out some of the following “Power Within” entries:

      Henry O!

      Birdy

     The Making of Agamemnon

     Here’s Herbie

For more information on the festival, visit the DCIFF website.
 

 

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Purchasing an accessible vehicle for your cerebral palsy child or modifying your current vehicle to make it more accessible are both expensive undertakings. However, there are several avenues of possible financial assistance available to parents and caregivers.

Potential resources are listed in a great new feature on United Cerebral Palsy’s blog. The weekly feature is known as Ask Lara, and some of the resources she lists include:
 

• State Assistive Technology Programs
• Medicaid Waivers
• PASS Program for SSI beneficiaries
•  

To see Lara’s full list of resources, click here.


 

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Caring for a child with cerebral palsy or other special needs condition isn’t always easy, and often requires the use of complex technology and the management of multiple medications. Given the demands they generally face on a day-to-day basis, it is not uncommon for caregivers to neglect themselves.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that support systems are in position to help caregivers of special needs children, and respite care is a type of help for caregivers that provides them with temporary relief from their duties.

Yet a new study suggests that nearly one quarter of caregivers for special needs children do not receive the respite care they need and deserve.

"These parents have to go through so much. They do it with a lot of love. But caregiving is not an easy task, and families need help caring for their children with special needs," said Dr. Savithri Nageswaran, lead researcher of the study.

Reasons cited for unmet respite care needs include:

• Lack of services available
• Transportation issues
• High cost

Lack of awareness of support services

The study also showed that caregivers of children with severe functional limitations and unstable health conditions had greater unmet needs than caregivers of children in stable health and without functional limitations.

If you are a caregiver to a child with cerebral palsy or other special needs, it’s important to understand that help is available. Check out our cerebral palsy resources page for more information.






 

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Pica occurs in some kids as a cerebral palsy symptom and is characterized by the persistent eating of non-food substances such as dirt, stones, paint or paper. The condition is often a distressing one for parents and caregivers, who necessarily worry about the health effects of such behavior.

Children with developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy or mental retardation are more likely to develop pica because of an inability to distinguish between food and non-food substances. It’s not preventable, but it may be treated – or at least managed – with behavior therapy.

Until the problem has been eliminated, parents should monitor their child and have testing done to check for complications such as lead or other kind of poisoning, intestinal or digestive issues, nutritional deficiencies and infection.

Read more about pica here or talk to your child’s primary care physician about possible treatment options.

 

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The use of orthotic devices such as braces have been shown to improve cerebral palsy symptoms in children with diplegia, but little evidence shows whether certain braces are better than others. That’s why researchers decided to develop a study comparing the effectiveness of two different types of braces: hinged vs. dynamic-ankle foot orthoses.

Study Results
The study, which is published in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, involved 15 children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy and specifically sought to determine whether one type of brace was more effective at improving gait and motor function than the other.

The results showed that both types of braces led to significant improvements in gait and there was little difference between the two in this regard. However, neither of the braces seemed to have a significant impact on motor functioning.

A Brief Word on Orthotics
Orthotics are intended to support weak muscles and reduce the risk of joint deformity, and orthotics vary according to the area in need of support. If you have questions about whether an orthotic device is right for your child, contact your primary care physician and ask for a referral to a pediatric orthopedic specialist.

See Also: Cerebral Palsy Symptoms

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Cerebral palsy is a congenital disorder which affects muscle tone, motor skills and movement, and can lead to learning disabilities as well as difficulty with hearing, vision, and speech.  The disorder is most often caused by a brain injury sustained before or during childbirth, and can quite often be attributed to medical malpractice.  Sometimes diagnosis is made shortly after birth, but it’s not always obvious right away.  That’s why it’s so important for parents to be able to recognize cerebral palsy symptoms in their child early, so that treatment can be sought and justice can be served.

Signs that your child may suffer from Cerebral Palsy vary in severity and can include:

• Delay in normal development (such as an infant not reaching for toys or sitting up at the appropriate milestones)
• Difficulty with fine motor skills (such as writing or using a pair of scissors)
• Inability to maintain balance while standing or walking
• Involuntary movements (such as uncontrollable hand motions or drooling

Medical malpractice comes into play in many of these cases because CP is often caused when a doctor makes a critical error before or during childbirth.  

If you recognize one or more of these cerebral palsy symptoms in your child, discuss your concerns with your pediatrician.  And if by chance the diagnosis is positive, seek the advice of a medical attorney right away.
 

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Many families are familiar with the traditional treatments used to manage cerebral palsy symptoms, such as surgery, medication and physical therapy. However, some families are turning to holistic therapies to help alleviate the symptoms their child experiences.

While it is important to remember that each child is unique and will respond differently to different therapies, some holistic alternatives parents may wish to consider include:

• Acupuncture – This is a non-painful form of ancient Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of extremely fine needles at various points on the body to relieve pain. Studies involving acupuncture and cerebral palsy have shown that some children who received this therapy experienced a marked improvement with regard to their individual symptoms.
• Reflexology and massage therapy – Massage has a beneficial effect on the body for people with a wide range of conditions, including cerebral palsy.
• Biofeedback – Electromyograph (EMG) is an increasingly common form of biofeedback in which electrodes are used to measure muscle tension and relax tense muscles. It is sometimes used to alleviate the symptom of muscle spasticity in individuals with cerebral palsy.
• Nutritional awareness – Processed foods that are high in preservatives or additives may worsen your child’s cerebral palsy symptoms. Consulting a nutritionist may help you find foods that will not only lessen such symptoms, but also provide your child with other health benefits.

Other alternative therapies that may help to ease your child’s cerebral palsy symptoms include:  yoga, which can help with movement; sensory integration, which is used to stimulate the senses and help children to interact better with their environment; and listening/music programs, which have been effective in improving auditory processing and communication skills.

Of course, alternative therapies such as these are not necessarily intended to replace a child’s traditional medical care. However, many families are beginning to take a more integrated approach to treatment, incorporating both traditional and alternative therapies.

See also: What is Cerebral Palsy

                Cerebral Palsy Symptoms

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Cesarean section (c-section) is an increasingly common surgical procedure used to deliver babies. Though sometimes medically necessary, it is not a procedure without risks. In fact, c-sections performed too early can be a risk factor for cerebral palsy.

Whether you have already delivered or are preparing to deliver a baby by way of c-section, there are some important facts you should know:

C-section is a major surgery, during which the mother is given anesthesia and an incision is made in the belly and womb for the removal of the baby. Some babies are affected adversely by the anesthesia, and it’s important that the benefits of c-section outweigh the risks.

C-section may be necessary due to complications that arise during pregnancy or labor – for instance, the baby is in distress; it’s a multiple birth pregnancy; the mother has HIV or genital herpes; or the mother has had a previous c-section. However, some medical experts believe that many c-sections are performed when not medically necessary. Evidence has shown that c-sections performed late-preterm (between 34 and 36 weeks gestation) carry certain risks for the baby, and c-sections during this time are increasing. Preterm birth is one of the greatest risk factors for cerebral palsy.

Babies born by way of c-section tend to have more breathing difficulties than babies born vaginally.

C-section also poses risks to the mother, such as increased bleeding, infection, blood clots, and placenta problems in subsequent pregnancies.

If your doctor tries to schedule a c-section before 39 weeks gestation, make sure to ask why early delivery would be medically necessary. It’s best to wait until after 40 weeks gestation. If you had a c-section because of complications during your labor and your child was born with cerebral palsy, you may wish to look into the matter further. It may be possible that the condition was preventable.


 

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Eighteen year old Andy Sullman has cerebral palsy, but you wouldn’t know it to see him running. For nearly a year, he’s been training to run a marathon. Running has helped him overcome his cerebral palsy symptoms – something he was unable to do with traditional treatments like physical therapy.

Andy says running has made him stronger. Just before he began running, Andy began to lose feeling on the left side of his body and his head began to droop toward his shoulder. Now he stands straight and strong.

In It for the Long-Term

Andy was born prematurely and there were complications. A delay in treatment caused him to suffer brain damage, according to his mother, Dominique Sullman. On Sunday, Andy will run in the Chevron Houston Marathon.

“I want to run a marathon because I really enjoy running, and I want to show people that anybody can run a marathon with training,” he said.

And running is something Andy says he will continue to do. “It’s given him independence for life. It’s given him normality. There are so many kids out there with CP, maybe this can give them hope,” his mother said.



 
 

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A $6.5 million settlement was recently reached in Aurora, Illinois regarding the case of a seven-year-old boy who now has cerebral palsy due to a supposed accident at a local hospital. The incident occurred at the Provena Mercy Medical Center where the boy endured a brain injury that has now altered his life.

Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit Details

Roberto Morales, Jr. is now living with the cerebral palsy he was born with, at the fault of the medical facility and its staff, according to the suit. Attorneys for Morales claim that the attending obstetrician while the boy’s mother was in labor, along with the delivery nurse, failed to properly respond to the lowering of his heart rate when he was born. Morales’ oxygen flow was reportedly cut off as well, which the suit states was the cause of the medication known as Pitocin.

The settlement given to the boy and his family was reached last week for the negligence that occurred in April 7, 2001.  Not only was Morales born with cerebral palsy as the result of this horrific mistake, but he also has metabolic acidosis and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

According to reports, the settlement will go towards paying for boy’s continued health care and medical expenses. It also hopes to compensate for his loss of enjoyment of life and the emotional distress the family has suffered.  

 

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Recent reports claim that a woman in St. Louis recently took legal action for her daughter’s cerebral palsy. The little girl was reportedly born with the condition, which can be life-altering, and her mother believes that it is the result of a doctor’s negligence.

 
The lawsuit has been filed against Memorial Hospital, St. Louis University and one of their doctors. The suit is seeking a cerebral palsy settlement consisting of compensation for the little girl’s medical expenses, the loss of sleep and enjoyment and the emotional toll it has taken on the family.  

Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit Details

The lawsuit was filed on December 31, 2008 by Linda Overmeyer against Memorial Hospital and Dr. William Keenan, who treated her daughter Haley at birth. Overmeyer claims in the suit that Keenan was negligent and failed to properly take care of her daughter. As a result, the enraged mother says her daughter now is living with cerebral palsy and will be for the rest of her life.  

The suit states that Haley has suffered from neurological defects, developmental delays, and hearing and visual problems due to her health condition. The suit also claims that she has incurred several medical expenses from being subjected to unnecessary medical and health care evaluations. Of course, her mother, Linda, has incurred these expenses as well.

 
"The Memorial Hospital owed plaintiff a duty of care to use the skill and care ordinarily used by a reasonably well qualified physician," says the suit.

In her cerebral palsy settlement, Linda is seeking in excess of $200,000, in addition to legal costs.  
 


 

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Haley Overmeyer has cerebral palsy – a condition her mother alleges was caused by negligent medical care. Her mother, Linda, recently filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor who delivered Haley and the hospital where she was born in January 2005.

Errors made during a child’s delivery can cause brain damage and, consequently, conditions like cerebral palsy. In Haley’s case, her mother alleges that the cerebral palsy was caused by the doctor’s failure to properly resuscitate, intubate and monitor Haley after her birth.

Lack of sufficient oxygen is one of the main known causes of damage to an infant’s brain. This damage can have devastating consequences, resulting in developmental delays, hearing and vision problems, and cerebral palsy.

Haley suffers from all of these and the lawsuit filed by her mother is seeking compensation for:
 

• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of sleep
• Physiological consequences

Memorial Hospital and St. Louis University are both named in the suit in addition to the delivering physician.


 

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Does your child have trouble holding books because of cerebral palsy? Does he or she have visual impairments or a learning disorder such as dyslexia? Then you might want to check out Bookshare.org. It’s a great resource for people with disabilities, particularly students, who are unable to read standard print.

Bookshare.org offers a free online library to U.S. students who qualify. The library features wide range of books – including children’s books, bestsellers and even textbooks – in accessible formats like Braille Refreshable Format (BRF) and DAISY (synthesized speech).

New books are added to Bookshare’s library by member submissions, which are scanned by volunteers and made available to other members. Those who do not qualify for a free membership can join as a paid member as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.

Anyone can search Bookshare’s library online, and the website offers free webinars for people who want to learn how book sharing works.

 

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New technologies improve lives and enhance functioning in kids and adults with disabilities such as cerebral palsy. The founders of Project: Possibility understand this and have made it their mission to empower those in the disability community by making the world more accessible with innovative software solutions.

All of the software developed by the organization is open source and free to anyone who wishes to use it.  Some of the group’s projects have involved software development in areas such as:
 

• Education
• Mobility
• Video gaming
• Music and Web access

Project: Possibility encourages the sharing of ideas and participants in the various projects include engineers, artists, educators, university students and people with disabilities. If you have an idea or would like to contribute to a project, visit the group’s website and learn more.
 

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The Coal Fund is being used to help families in Tennessee pay for heat in their homes this winter, which fewer families are able to do during tough financial times. One family helped by the Coal Fund has been hit especially hard by these times—a single mom with three children, one of whom has cerebral palsy.

“As prices increase, she is having a difficult time trying to keep things together on the small disability check she receives. Things just got too hard for her to be able to afford heating oil,” said Carmen Ricker of Greeneville-Greene County Community Ministries, the group that administers the fund.

Money from the fund was used to help the woman purchase heating oil for her home. According to Ricker, all the funds raised through the end of the year will likely be used for home-heating assistance.

Tough Times for Families of Special Needs Children

Caring for a special needs child during a positive economic climate is challenging for most families, but when jobs are lost and benefits cut, some families will have to struggle all the more. The Coal Fund is just one of many programs across the U.S. helping families in need.

If you are struggling to make ends meet and are caring for a special needs child, you may wish to contact your local Easter Seals organization or other charitable foundations in your area for resources or assistance.
 

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Just over a decade ago, the U.S. Department of Education reported that 95 percent of children with physical disabilities like cerebral palsy were prevented from full access to sports programs. While there have been efforts to change this fact, much still needs to be done. That’s where the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs (AAASP) comes in.

What is the AAASP?

Understanding the importance of school-based sports in the educational process, the AAASP created a model of interscholastic athletics geared toward students with disability. The adaptedSPORTS™Model is school-system based and:
 

• Establishes guidelines for participation, implementation, compliance and standardization
• Administers coach training and certification
• Develops rules of competition for each sport

Member programs are required to adhere to a schedule of seasonal sports, including wheelchair handball in the fall, wheelchair basketball and power soccer in the winter, and track and field, beep baseball and wheelchair football in the spring.

To learn more about the AAASP and member programs, visit the organization’s website at www.adaptedsports.org.

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The Siskin Children’s Institute, headquartered in Tennessee, offers various kinds of support to families of children with disability, including research help, information on community resources, and workshops and education classes – all free of charge.
If you are a parent of a child with cerebral palsy, you may wish to check out Siskin’s:

• Free Online Library: The Institute features an online library where parents can go to find over 5,000 resources on disability topics such as cerebral palsy and autism.
• Education Programs: Through the Institute’s Center for Outreach and Adult Education, parents and families can attend free workshops led by therapists, special educators and other professionals. The Center also hosts free education series on topics ranging from disability awareness and parent advocacy to early childhood education and autism.
• Community Resources: Families can contact the Institute’s family support and resource coordinator to find assistance in their local communities.

Visit the Siskin website to learn more about how the Institute’s team of professionals can help you.

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These are difficult economic times for many families across the country, especially for those trying to provide for a child with cerebral palsy or other special need. Medical care, housing, transportation, assistive technology — these are just a few of the things families of special needs children must budget into their finances.

However, it’s not just families who are suffering. Some state and local governments, and many charitable organizations are also feeling the strains of the current economic crisis, and this has led to some cutbacks with regard to the aid they are able to provide to the special needs community.

If you have a child with cerebral palsy and are experiencing financial difficulties, you may be eligible for help from the federal government. The website USA.gov provides information on government loans, grants, aid and other forms of financial assistance. It might be worth your while to look into.


 

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Military families face unique challenges, and these challenges are often compounded when a member of the family has cerebral palsy or other special need(s).  Because military families are required to move frequently, continuity of care is perhaps chief among the challenges faced by these families.

Navigating education laws and finding healthcare specialists is no easy task when moving from state-to-state. In most cases, these tasks must be performed without the help and support of local friends and family members.  

STOMP (Specialized Training of Military Parents) was created in 1985 to empower military families and help them obtain the services and support they need regardless of geographic location. The group assists military families in several concrete ways:

Providing families with  the training and information they need to ensure proper care of their child
Connecting military families and developing community support groups
Raising awareness of the issues surrounding special needs children in military homes

The project is federally funded and directed by parents who themselves understand the feelings of isolation and anxiety associated with raising a special needs child while serving in the military. To find out more about STOMP, visit the organization’s website.


 

 

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Dan Habib is a filmmaker, an activist and a father of an 8-year-old boy with cerebral palsy. Over the past four years, Habib has chronicled the life of his son using film and created a one-hour documentary titled “Including Samuel.”

A Personal Story

The film began as a way for Habib to document his experience as a father of a disabled child, a suggestion made to him by one of Samuel’s doctors.  

“The doctor’s comment was a real catalyst. It gave me an outlet for my fears and confusion,” admitted Habib, who is now a filmmaker in residence for the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire.

But what began as an outlet for coping turned into a film about how individuals with disability assimilate (or fail to) into mainstream society. The documentary not only features Samuel, who can barely speak or hold a pencil, it also features four others who struggle with disability.

Seeking Inclusion

“I wanted to make the world a better place for Samuel. I wanted Samuel to be accepted in the community and society,” Habib said. "Samuel has taught me how I look at everyone around me. He has taught me not to pre-judge anyone by how they talk, or whether they can talk. He will teach a lot of people, which is good, because the world has a lot to learn."

The INclusion Network of Cincinnati has already hosted a screening of Habib’s documentary, and a Cincinnati public broadcasting network aired the documentary on television last week. The film is expected to be distributed to PBS stations in 2009.

 

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The Horses and Humans Research Foundation has granted $100,000 in funding to two universities, one of which will study the effect of hippotherapy (horse-assisted therapy) on head and body movement in 18 children with cerebral palsy.

A 2006 study showed that therapeutic horseback riding programs can benefit motor functioning in children with spastic diplegia, a common type of cerebral palsy, and in recent years, numerous equine-assisted therapy programs have been developed around the country to help individuals with disability.

This new study will be conducted over the course of 10 weeks by researchers at the University du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres, just northeast of Montreal. The other university to receive a grant, Good Hope Equestrian Training Center in Florida, will focus on the use of equine therapy in autistic children.

To learn more about equine-assisted therapies and studies, visit the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association or Horses and Humans.org.

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Choosing toys for a child with disability can be a challenge for parents. For children with cerebral palsy, parents must take into consideration their child’s physical impairments as well as any communicative or cognitive difficulties.

Fortunately, there are a couple of great resources that can help parents find interactive toys and even local play groups for their child:

·         Lekotek.org – This organization seeks to make play accessible to special needs children, and has 32 sites across the country that play sessions for families, computer play and software lending libraries, toy lending libraries and other play services to support children and their families

·         Ableplay.org – This website provides information and ratings on toys so parents can make the best decisions for their child. Parents can search for toys based on specific needs or disabilities, including cerebral palsy, see product ratings and find out where to buy.

Both sites also offer newsletters so parents can stay up-to-date on the latest toys, games and play products for children with special needs.

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Obtaining comprehensive, compassionate and effective medical care is essential for ensuring the health and wellbeing of your cerebral palsy child. However, coordinating this type of healthcare is no easy feat for parents, and that’s where the National Center for Medical Home Implementation steps in.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a medical home is a model for delivering accessible, continuous and family-centered healthcare with the goal of ensuring that all kids, especially those with special needs, have the support and services they need to thrive in their communities.

In 2007, the AAP and several other medical groups developed a few guiding principles for pediatric medical homes:

• Family-centered – creating partnerships between families and healthcare providers based on trust, collaboration and respect
• Community-based – emphasizing community networks that promote the health and wellbeing of families
• Transition – making sure that individuals receive continued support and services as they move from childhood to adolescence to adulthood
• Value –high quality healthcare that is affordable for families and cost-effective

To learn more about implementing a medical home for your cerebral palsy or special needs child, visit the National Center for Medical Home Implementation website.

 

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