When people think of Autumnal colours to wear in October, they picture warm colours such as orange and brown. However, trainee solicitor Emily Jackson in the Medical Negligence Department explains why she is wearing green on Friday 6th October in support of World Cerebral Palsy Day.
World Cerebral Palsy Day is a global movement started by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance in 2012 to raise awareness and donations in support of Cerebral Palsy. A Cerebral Palsy advocacy group has encouraged people to wear green on this day to help spread awareness and promote inclusiveness of those with Cerebral Palsy, a condition defined by the NHS as a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move and maintain balance and posture. It is the most common motor disability in childhood relating to the brain (Cerebral) and weaknesses or problems relating to muscles (Palsy).
According to Scope, Cerebral Palsy, a lifelong condition for which there is no known cure, affects around 1 in every 400 children in the UK, which is approximately 1,800 children diagnosed each year. It can be caused or worsened through:
- Deprivation of oxygen to the brain during birth
- Meningitis
- Stroke
- Serious head injury
- Very low blood sugar
Dutton Gregory’s Medical Negligence Team have represented families in situations where Cerebral Palsy was caused, or worsened, by negligent birthing injuries or clinical errors made shortly after birth. A Cerebral Palsy diagnosis is life-changing for both the child and those who care for them, and they may be entitled to compensation to help provide access to further care and therapies in the future.
There are many charities who offer help, resources and support to those with Cerebral Palsy and their loved ones including national organisation Scope and, more locally to Dutton Gregory Solicitors, The Rainbow Centre and the Romsey Opportunity Group in Hampshire.
We have supported both the Rainbow Centre and Romsey Opportunity Group with fundraising through bakes sales, charity walks, bike rides, quiz nights and even an ‘Office Olympics’ in recent years. Both charities offer help and support for children with Cerebral Palsy by providing environments where children can learn and play.
Further information on these charities and the support they offer can be found on the following websites:
https://www.romseyopgroup.org.uk/WhoAreWe.php
https://rainbowcentre.org/who-we-are/
https://www.scope.org.uk/cerebral-palsy-network/
If your child, or someone you know, have been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy caused or worsened by negligent medical treatment, our team of specialist Medical Negligence Solicitors can help to pursue a claim for compensation.
