Legal and Medical Resources to Empower Cerebral Palsy Families
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By John Hartford There’s nothing worse than listening to an infant wail, or watching the tears stream down a child’s face and knowing the child is in pain with no instant or easy cure in sight. Muscle pain and spasms, particularly in the legs, are two of the most common side-effects of cerebral palsy. Dealing [...]
By John Hartford Among the more promising lines of research in repairing cell damage in children with cerebral palsy is stem cell therapy. A cursory on-line search of the topic reveals multiple clinics promising “remarkable cures” and astonishing patient stories. A closer look reveals that medical researchers with the highest credentials are cautioning parents [...]
By Howard Janet and Giles Manley, MD The following checklist is based on obstetrical “best practices.” Parents can use the checklist to help make sure basic care standards are being followed, and to help prevent medical mistakes during the labor and delivery process. I have someone with me willing to advocate for me with medical [...]
By John Hartford Christmas. Hanukah. Kwanza. No matter what the celebration, ‘tis the season for gift-giving and receiving. A child with a disability is no different from any other child in wanting toys that are interactive, engaging and colorful. If you have a toy that your child has loved and you think others will too, please visit [...]
By Howard Janet Fortunately, most births in the United States are complication-free. But in my practice, I primarily deal with parents whose child was diagnosed months or even years after birth with cerebral palsy, and who suspect medical error may have played a part. I have investigated some 10,000 of these cases over the years. As a result, [...]
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In October, I wrote several articles titled “Diary of a Crisis” about a medical emergency we experienced with our daughter, Danielle. Danielle has suffered from severe spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy since birth. The past 18 months have been a constant struggle with medical professionals to get answers about our daughter's deteriorating health.
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Birthing classes and many books about pregnancy help parents-to-be prepare for the birth experience and some of their choices, especially when it comes to managing pain. However, few deal with potential complications, preferring to leave that scary ”what if” in the hands of doctors. However, my experience as a practicing obstetrician for more than 20 years is that it’s vitally important for parents to know what standards of care are and how to advocate for themselves and their child if these standards are not being met.
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