Words by Ben Bowen, 06/10/2022
October 6 marks World Cerebral Palsy Day and we are pleased to support Cerebral Palsy Cymru, a charity that supports many of our current and past clients. To mark the day colleagues from our Clinical Negligence and Neurolaw teams are wearing green and raising money to support the charity.
Globally, 17 million people are living with cerebral palsy, and it is estimated that 1 in every 400 babies born in the UK will have the condition.
Cerebral Palsy Cymru, previously known as Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre Wales, is Wales’ leading cerebral palsy charity. They are a specialist centre in Wales providing therapy for children who have, or are suspected of having, cerebral palsy. The charity provides a specialist team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists who work together to offer transdisciplinary skills, so each child, benefits from their combined expertise.
Hugh James are pleased to sponsor one of their therapy rooms in their centre and are always on the lookout for ways to support them. Just last weekend I ran the Cardiff Half Marathon in aid of Cerebral Palsy Cymru, and on 21 October, 7 members of the Clinical Negligence team will be braving ‘The Phoenix’, the world’s fastest seated zip line, located at Zip World Tower at the former Tower Colliery site in Aberdare, to raise funds for the charity.
If you wish help us reach our donation target for our fundraising activities, you can do so by donating through my Cardiff Half Marathon JustGiving page, or you can support the team braving the Clin Neg Zip Wire challenge through their JustGiving page. Any donations big or small will help to support children living with Cerebral Palsy and their families in Wales, and greatly improve their quality of life.
What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term that describes a group of lifelong conditions affecting the developing infant or child’s brain. It is the most common physical disability in children worldwide.
Cerebral palsy results from damage to the brain that occurs before, during, or shortly after birth. The symptoms normally become noticeable during the first 2 or 3 years of a child’s life.
Causes include:
- maternal infection such as rubella or toxoplasmosis
- oxygen starvation to the baby’s brain during pregnancy or delivery
- premature birth
- cerebral haemorrhage (bleeds in the brain) during pregnancy or delivery
- genetic problems
In some circumstances, negligent medical care such as mismanagement of the birth process or failure to monitor fetal development during pregnancy may be the cause of cerebral palsy.
Cerebral Palsy can cause a varying severity of mobility problems as a result of limb spasticity. Some children experience such severe issues from cerebral palsy that they are not able to walk and require a wheelchair, some will also require specialist equipment such as hoists for transfers. It is common for children with cerebral palsy to require a great deal of care, and often family members become full time carers for those suffering with the condition.
Our birth injury solicitors are highly experienced in this area and regularly work with clients, and their families, in achieving compensation to help fund appropriate long-term treatment, rehabilitation and care.
We are currently finalising our plans for our new Birth Injury Hub, which will allow those who have been affected by negligence before or after birth, including children who have cerebral palsy, to have access to straightforward and stress-free contact with specialist lawyers.
Our Clinical Negligence Team are top ranked by both the Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 independent legal guides for this area of the law. Information on our expertise in supporting families in cerebral palsy claims can be found in our medical negligence section. Alternatively, to speak to a specialist for free initial advice and guidance, please call 0808 5016 957.
