March is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
By Matthew Willens
Mar. 25, 2016 8:21a
March is the National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, and culminates in National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day on the 25th March. This month, everyone who is affected by cerebral palsy, along with their families will make efforts to spread awareness about this medical condition, it's
diagnosis, connect with different groups, celebrate the achievements of those who suffer from this condition and include everyone with cerebral palsy in a movement to bring about social change.
There are various goals of this event, but the primary ones include:
What Is Cerebral Palsy?
Unlike the common misconception, cerebral palsy is not a disease. WebMD defines cerebral palsy as "a broad term used to describe a group of chronic "palsies" -- disorders that impair control of movement due to damage to the developing brain. CP usually develops by age 2 or 3 and is a non-progressive brain disorder, meaning the brain damage typicall ydoes not continue to worsen throughout life. However, the symptoms due to the brain damage often change over time -- sometimes getting better and sometimes getting worse. CP is one of the most common causes of chronic childhood disability."
In simple terms, cerebral palsy is a permanent disorder that affects a child's ability to move. A child with cerebral palsy not only has motor difficulties, but may also have other functional impairments in the way they communicate, think, or perceive the world around them.
Cerebral palsy is often a result of a brain injury that occurs before, during or after birth. Unfortunately, there is no cure for cerebral palsy.
Medical Malpractice and Cerebral Palsy
Many cases of cerebral palsy are preventable and are a result of medical malpractice. Several complications such as fetal oxygen deprivation, traumatic birth injuries, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, overventilation, fetal stroke and C section mistakes can cause CP. Medical mistakes that can lead to cerebral palsy include:
- Incorrect monitoring of fetal and maternal health
- Improper treatment of maternal health problems during pregnancy
- Inappropriate use of anesthesia and certain medications.
- Improper handling of delivery-related complications
- Inappropriate management of fetal oxygen deprivation
Though there is no cure available for cerebral palsy, but with therapy, care and medication the quality of life of patients can be substantially improved. However, the lifetime cost of care of a cerebral palsy patient can be quite high depending on how severe the condition is. The total cost of care often runs into millions of dollars.
If you think your child's cerebral palsy is a result of medical malpractice, you should immediately seek legal help from a qualified and experienced birth injury lawyer Matt Willens. An attorney at Willens Law Offices can help make a successful claim for compensation from the medical professional/hospital responsible for your child's condition.
Call (312) 957-4166 today to schedule a free consultation.
Other Recent Articles
Stroke is among the top ten causes of fatalities involving children. It affects nearly three in 100,000 children, and is as common as a brain tumor. Intracerebral hemorrhage accounts for 8-13 percent ...
More Articles »
According to the available reports, in 2008, there were 54 transfusion related fatalities in the United States.
More Articles »
Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Most surgical errors cause serious consequences, however, some are so severe that they are known as never events. In this post, our ...
More Articles »