The following video is an introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and cerebral palsy.
This is a clip of the inspirational Team Hoyt on the Today Show. Dick discusses his son’s cerebral palsy and the many things Rick as accomplished in his life, in part, due to his Dad’s determination and inspiration.
In honor of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month the following video was made to spread awareness. The video includes general information and facts regarding Cerebral Palsy.
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day is March 20, 2009. The video below was made in an effort to spread awareness and contains many facts and statistics on cerebral palsy.
For more information please visit www.reachingforthestars.org
Yesterday, President Barack Obama reversed a federal ban on embryonic stem cell research funding. Many Scientists believe that stem cell treatment will be very beneficial in treating people with cerebral palsy and strokes. This type of stem cell research, however, has been controversial because of the use of embryos.
The video below explains the potential benefits and the controversy involved.
For more information on stem cells and treatment for cerebral palsy please see my previous posts.
March is cerebral palsy awareness month. Throughout the month there will be several events dedicated to spreading information and awareness about cerebral palsy.
Leading the effort to coordinate the events for cerebral palsy awareness month is parent led advocacy and support group Reaching for the Stars. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will be sponsoring events in Atlanta, GA on Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day (March 20, 2009).
For more information contact Lara Terrell at 202-973-7105
1 in 5 deliveries in the United States is the result of induced labor. The following video explains possible reasons for inducing labor. The video touches on some of the main reasons including:
Infection
Decreasing fetal growth
Preeclampsia
Large gestational age child
Maternal illness
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Long pregnancy – past due date
Water broken for more than 24 hours
Failure to induce labor may result in a medical malpractice lawsuit due to injuries to the child such as Cerebral Palsy or Erb’s Palsy.
Approximately 30 % of children born in the United States are born via c-section. This video explains the process and the reasons a c-section may be necessary. The reasons include:
Previous c-section
Large gestational age (LGA) child – large children risk getting stuck in the birth canal a condition known as shoulder dystocia which can lead to erbs palsy and/or a lack of oxygen and cerebral palsy
Breech Birth or Transverse position – Abnormal position of the child
Umbilical cord prolapse - abnormal position of the umbilical cord increases the risk of lack of oxygen to the fetus by flattening the cord when vaginal delivery is attempted and can lead to cerebral palsy
Placental problems- placental abruption placenta previa
Prolonged labor – labor slows or stops
Fetal distress- child’s heart rate demonstrates signs of distress such as a slow heart rate on the fetal monitoring strips. This can be a sign that the child is not receiving sufficient oxygen to his/her brain and can lead to brain damage
Maternal infections – genital herpes or HIV
High Blood Pressure or Diabetes
Many medical malpractice lawsuits are based on the theory that the doctors failed to recognize the conditions mentioned above or recognized the condition but failed to perform a c-section soon enough to avoid injuries like cerebral palsy and Erbs Palsy.
The following video discusses several complications / injuries at birth including:
Breach Birth - Abnormal presentation of the child
Caput succedaneum - swelling of the scalp usually caused by pressure from the delivery.
Cephalohematoma – blood collected under the periosteum
Intracranial Subgaleal Hemorrhage - bleeding in the skull (intracranial) or between the
periosteum and the galea aponeurosis (Subgaleal).
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage - damage to the eye, specifically, bleeding under the conjunctiva
Facial paralysis
Fractures
