Born 12 weeks prematurely, 16-year-old triplet David Pearson has cerebral palsy. Suffering from several disabilities, including the inability to walk unaided, no speech abilities, and partial sight, Pearson was recently given a brighter future due to the special touch-screen computer his family was able to procure for him. Thanks to some much-needed monies raised for the family, David now has the ability to interact with his siblings and mother and can say full words using the device.
Touch screen computers, like the one David has are especially helpful for cerebral palsy sufferers because the computer works exclusively with mouse-driven software that requires only a stylus or finger to operate; thus, making learning more engaging, portable, and easy to use. Tested by patients at the Children’s Cerebral Palsy Clinic, this innovative product allows cerebral palsy suffers to play games, learn skills, and communicate without the reaching and stretching required for most computer tasks. Both fun and challenging, touch-screen computers offer freedom to assist cerebral palsy patients to be more successful, focus on specific learning goals, attempt to accomplish different types of movement, and learn new skills. With the assistance and coordination of a therapist coupled with this relatively new touch screen computer technology, cerebral palsy patients are able to develop coordinated movements, maintain a record of their personal progress and develop a positive outlook for a future that could possibly lead to job opportunities and independence.
Causes of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy, a brain malformation or brain injury that occurs while an infant’s brain is developing (before, during or after birth), primarily affect the mobility of those afflicted with the condition. Affecting muscle control, muscle tone, muscle coordination, posture, balance, and reflexes, cerebral
palsy has a great negative impact of an individual’s fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and oral motor functions. As every case of cerebral palsy is unique due to the type of brain injury and the timing of the injury, treatments and therapy vary on a case by case basis.
However, the brain damage that causes cerebral palsy is not unique and may result from:
- Disturbance of brain cell migration during pregnancy. Both environmental factors and genetic factors can disturb brain cell migration causing brain cells to fail to move to their appropriate location in the brain during brain development of the fetus.
- Poor myelination (insulation) of developing nerve cell fibers during pregnancy. When poor myelin is present during development, the brain function of a fetus is impeded causing inadequate protection of the brain nerve cells that aid transmission.
- Rupture of blood vessels or disruption of oxygen to the brain during delivery that causes brain cell death.
- Non-functioning or inappropriate connections (synapses) that occur between brain cells after delivery as the result of infection, trauma, or asphyxia.
Contact an Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyer to Determine Your Rights and Entitlement to Compensation for Birth Injuries Like Cerebral Palsy
A devastating, life-long ailment, cerebral palsy requires constant medical attention, therapy, and family support. Unfortunately, many families do not have the financial resources to provide the care required to look after their loved one and must rely on various means to acquire the necessary funds to keep a cerebral palsy sufferer comfortable. If your child suffered a brain injury that resulted in cerebral palsy or some other birth injury due to the negligence or a mistake made by your delivering physician or hospital staff, you may have grounds to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. Contacting an experienced medical malpractice lawyer immediately upon diagnosis of cerebral palsy is wise to find out what your rights are and any legal actions you may be entitled to take to assist you and your family with the challenges ahead.
