New York Birth Injury Attorneys
Describing Living with Cerebral Palsy
When someone contracts cerebral palsy as a result of a mistake made during the birthing process, that person's life changes forever and instantly. While cerebral palsy is not a death sentence by any means, it does bring an entirely new context of living into focus for both the child who suffers from it and for the parents who must help manage it. Anyone who has contracted this condition as a result of a mistake should seek help from New York birth injury attorneys. In the meantime, below is a brief look at living with cerebral palsy from the perspective of the patient and the parents of the patient.
Living with Cerebral Palsy – The Patient
While cerebral palsy is a result of damage to the brain, most who have this condition do not suffer from any tangible mental deficiency. While this is a positive development for many reasons, it also leaves the patient with the full realization that he or she is ‘not like others' and must endure different challenges.
Over time, those with cerebral palsy will come to realize that even well-meaning people can act in ways that are harmful, such as walking away from a patient who cannot speak clearly because they don't understand them or making them feel different from anyone else by offering too much help. In addition, there are people out there who will make fun of those who suffer from this disease, as children especially can be cruel.
While cerebral palsy patients will have difficult times with basic tasks throughout life, this does not mean that they cannot live full and healthy lives and achieve success. What it does mean is that cerebral palsy will affect them every day and in almost every situation. Those who live well with cerebral palsy accept this reality and move forward.
Living with Cerebral Palsy – The Parents
While the challenges for parents of a child with cerebral palsy are much different in a physical sense, that does not mean that parents still won't face difficulties in many other contexts. In terms of emotions, many parents feel guilty that their child has cerebral palsy even though it was in no way their fault.
In addition to the emotional difficulties, parents of a cerebral palsy patient will also face the potential for tremendous financial difficulties in order to meet the needs of their child. Depending on the specific problems that result from the presence of this condition, parents could be forced to fund such types of care as physical rehabilitation, special equipment such as wheelchairs and ramps in and around the home so the child has access to different areas and perhaps even specialized transportation.
How New York Birth Injury Attorneys Can Help
If you find your child in this situation because of something that went wrong during the child birth process, you need to seek the help of the New York birth injury attorneys at Fitzgerald & Fitzgerald as soon as possible. Contact the firm today to schedule a free initial consultation.
New York Cerebral Palsy Attorneys