Category Archives: Cerebral Palsy Treatment

Newly released figures show a 28 per cent hike in the number of kids with disorders who are waiting more than 12 months for rehab care YOUNGSTERS with severely debilitating conditions are being denied treatment due to staff shortages, it has been claimed. Newly released figures show a 28 per cent hike in the number of kids with disorders such as cerebral palsy who are waiting more than 12 months for rehab care. The anxious families of no fewer than 4,641 children spent the whole of last year queuing for a first assessment with an occupational therapist. Worryingly, 455 of these were aged under five. The January stats represent a significant jump from last April, when 3,611 kids including 291 toddlers had been on a waiting list for over a year. And the situation is even worse for pensioners, with those forced to endure long delays for occupational therapy soaring by 68 per cent in just six months, up from 615 to 1,038. As of the start of 2016, there were 5,916 people with disabilities in Ireland who had gone a year or longer without any hope of an independent life 35 per cent more than this time last year. … Continue reading →

The Court of Appeal has widened the application of the test for informed consent, ruling that in all cases patients must be consulted and advised about their proposed treatment, options, risks and benefits even if the care is a do nothing approach. In W (a child and protected party, by his mother and Litigation Friend, Butler) v Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the Court of Appeal allowed an appeal of the claimant against the previous finding in favour of the defendant hospital on causation of the claimant's birth injuries. The court found that the judge had based his judgment as to whether there had been negligence on the approach set out in Bolam v Frien Hospital, by looking at whether the consultant had acted in accordance with a responsible body of expert medical opinion. However, this was no longer the correct approach and the decision in Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board was the correct approach to use. The claimant, W, was born with cerebral palsy. It was agreed between the parties that his disability had been caused by a brain injury which had occurred 48 to 72 hours prior to his birth and that had he been delivered at least … Continue reading →

Catherine Candisky The Columbus Dispatch @ccandisky Gov. John Kasich's administration plans to overhaul a program that helps pay medical bills for Ohio's sickest children, but it is raising concern that fewer will get the care they need. The Bureau of Children with Medical Handicaps (BCMH) pays for medicine, treatment and services not covered by insurance for more than 41,000 children with conditions such as cystic fibrosis, epilepsy and cerebral palsy. The governor's plan, tucked into the state budget proposal he submitted to lawmakers, would discontinue the bureau andslash eligibility guidelines for a new managed-care program under Medicaid beginning July 1. State Medicaid Director Barbara Sears says everyone currently in the program will be grandfathered in and continue to receive services. But changes for babies born after July 1 or families seeking to enroll after that date are necessary to make it more efficient and deal with an $11 million budget shortfall projected for this year. "These are parents who have fought for their children before they were even born," Sears recently told a House subcommittee. "I feel very confident that we have the ability to provide them with the necessary services through the Medicaid program." But families in BCMH say … Continue reading →

BAR HARBOR Three nationally certified music therapists on Mount Desert Island are among only seven in the entire state. But their numbers likely will grow if a bill now before the Legislature becomes law. It will provide MaineCare coverage for music therapy services provided to Medicaid and Medicare recipients in the state. But there is a catch: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will have to approve the coverage. The bill to authorize MaineCare reimbursement, introduced Feb. 28 by Rep. Scott Hamann (D-South Portland), defines music therapy as the clinical and evidence-based application of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals for clients of all ages and ability levels for purposes of assessment and treatment. The Legislatures Committee on Health and Human Services has scheduled a hearing on the bill for Monday, March 30. Music therapy can have physical, cognitive and emotional benefits for people with various diseases and disorders, including Alzheimers and other forms of dementia, cerebral palsy and Parkinsons. It is often used in the treatment and rehabilitation of people who have suffered a stroke or traumatic brain injury and for children with developmental disabilities. Carla Tanguay, a music … Continue reading →

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when a childs breathing becomes partially or completely blocked repeatedly during sleep due to the narrowing or blockage of the upper airway. Risk factors of developing obstructive sleep apnea include enlarged tonsils or adenoids, being overweight/obese, certain medical conditions, such as Downs syndrome or cerebral palsy, defects in the structure of the mouth, jaw or throat, or family history. It is estimated that 1 to 4 percent of children suffer from sleep apnea, with many of those cases in children ages 2 to 8. While there is a possibility that your child may outgrow his or her sleep disorder, growing evidence is showing that untreated sleep disorders can have a heavy toll on certain executive functions of the brain, such as cognitive flexibility, self-monitoring, planning, organization or self-regulation on affect and arousal. In fact, studies have suggested that as many as 23 percent of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may actually exhibit symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, which may contribute to many of their learning difficulties and behavior problems. What are the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea? Your child may show signs of obstructive sleep apnea both during the night and during the day. … Continue reading →

Ahwatukee parents of adult-aged developmentally disabled children are worried theyll become victims of the unintended consequence of voter-approved increase in the states minimum wage. Increases in payroll costs are prompting some providers to consider shutting down or curtailing day treatment programs that developmentally disabled people need. They are people like Kate Noll, 29, who was isolated and depressed when she first moved to Arizona with her family, before her mother discovered her lifeline, Marc Community Resources. Cheryl Noll said Kate thrives on structure and a sense of purpose. Kate had neither during her first three months in the East Valley. She became irrational. Her eating and sleeping habits changed. If I had Kate at home all day, I would be at home, Cheryl Noll said, forcing her to give up her job. We would lose our (health) insurance, we would lose our home. Kate would be miserable. It is invaluable to us. Its our lifeline. Like most parents of developmentally disabled children, David Hardaway wondered where his daughter, Jennifer, 23, would go after she timed out in the public education system at age 21. Hardaway is not alone. Arizona has 35,000 developmentally disabled persons in its Medicaid program. Jennifer, who … Continue reading →

BIG STEPSPictured in Gieltys Bar in Dooagh, Achill during a strength and mobility session with Scottish coach Steph Robertson were three Mayo children with cerebral palsy who have had life changing surgery in the USA. Front, from left: Jack Holmes, Molly McNamara and Iarlaith Farrell pictured with Karen Holmes, Natasha McNamara, Ann-Marie Dever (Manager, Gieltys Bar) and Steph Robertson.Pic: Michael McLaughlin Edwin McGreal At least three Mayo children with cerebral palsy have been left with inadequate HSE physiotherapy for months, The Mayo News can reveal. The children, who all had major Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) surgery in the US to alleviate their difficulties, require regular physiotherapy as part of their aftercare, most of which they source privately. However, the HSE physiotherapy they routinely receive for cerebral palsy has been greatly reduced in recent months. Six-year-old Molly McNamara from Achill Island had physiotherapy every second week until last September. Since then she has had not one single session of HSE physiotherapy. Our last contact was in November and that was to cancel a planned session and weve had no contact since, Mollys mother Natasha told The Mayo News. Weve spent the last three weeks emailing for answers and got none. Everyone … Continue reading →

Health chiefs are to see for themselves the remarkable progress of Mirror boy Ben Baddeley after the treatment that the NHS refused him. The family of cerebral palsy sufferer Ben, 12, has produced a home video showing him walking down steps and in snow. And NHS bosses have agreed to meet the Baddeleys at their home tomorrow. This comes three years after Mirror readers helped to raise 20,000 to privately fund a selective dorsal rhizotomy operation that was cancelled due to Tory cuts in February 2014. Family, friends, supporters and strangers gave another 25,000 for follow up physiotherapy. Mum Amy said of the visit: It will be hard for them to sit in this house and not feel what were going through. Im amazed how fast his body has grown. "This little man is working hard. The film shows Ben being held by Amy after his 2014 op, contrasted with him playing unaided with brother Josh, eight, recently. Amy and dad Gary, of Silverdale, Staffs, want the NHS to pay for Bens continuing 1,400-a-month physiotherapy. North Staffs Clinical Commissioning Group delayed a decision to allow director Cheryl Hardisty to meet the Baddeleys face to face. You can Ben's Facebook page … Continue reading →

Kate Noll, 29, was isolated and depressed when she first moved to Arizona with her family, before her mother discovered her lifeline, east Mesas Marc Community Resources. Cheryl Noll said developmentally disabled people like Kate thrive on structure and a sense of purpose. Kate had neither during her first three months in the East Valley. She became irrational. Her eating and sleeping habits changed. Thats why Noll and other parents of developmentally disabled children, who are now adults, are worried about whether an increase in the Arizona minimum wage will have the unintended consequence of shutting down or curtailing the day treatment programs that developmentally disabled people need. If I had Kate at home all day, I would be at home, Cheryl Noll said, forcing her to give up her job. We would lose our (health) insurance, we would lose our home. Kate would be miserable. It is invaluable to us. Its our lifeline. Like most parents of developmentally disabled children, David Hardaway of Chandler wondered where his daughter, Jennifer, 23, would go after she timed out in the public education system at age 21. Hardaway is not alone. Arizona has 35,000 developmentally disabled persons in its Medicaid program. Jennifer, … Continue reading →

Comments(0) A nine year-old boy with cerebral palsy is a step closer to getting a life-changing operation. Josh Walters, who lives with his family in Portishead, was born almost 12 weeks premature. He has grown up with cerebral palsy and spastic diplegia in his lower body. Although the inspiring youngster is a Cub Scout and plays for his local youth football team, the condition means the muscles in his lower body are tight, limiting his mobility and putting pressure on his hips, knees and joints. Without treatment he faces an increased risk of hip dislocations, severe joint problems and arthritis in the future. It is hoped spinal surgery called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) will eliminate a majority, if not all, of his symptoms and prevent side affects in the future. MORE: Two schools receive threats, one has been evacuated The operation is not funded by the NHS and his parents Andrew and Emma have launched a fundraising campaign called Operation Josh to pay for the procedure and immediate rehabilitation. Mr Walters said: "We have worked tirelessly to launch Operation Josh in the community and through social media together with an intense fundraising schedule with the view to book Josh in … Continue reading →