Water therapy can do wonders for physical therapy patients trying to regain control of their limb muscles. Patients with cerebral palsy, however, face extra difficulties when using the pool to strengthen and develop their muscles. Thanks to an award-winning invention by a former magician, however, patients with cerebral palsy can reap the benefits of therapeutic swimming. David Blaski, a senior clinical occupational therapist, saw the dismay on a young patient’s face when she could not use the pool with the other patients. He vowed to come up with a solution. Working with his brother, Blaski came up with the Aquatic Stabilizer Apparatus. He said he will always remember the look on the girl’s face when she used it for the first time. “We video-taped it – it was amazing,” he said. “It was a jaw-dropping experience. To see this child who was previously unable to ambulate now able to tread…
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Birth Injury and Cerebral Palsy Attorneys Home
New Invention Helps Cerebral Palsy Patients Swim
August 15, 2012Types of Cerebral Palsy
August 10, 2012The term “cerebral palsy” covers a wide range of disabilities and impairments, most of them caused by brain damage during childbirth. There are four main types of cerebral palsy: Spastic People with spastic cerebral palsy (like Jaylan Norfleet from our previous post) have muscles that are too stiff. Spastic cerebral palsy is divided into different categories depending on the number of limbs affected: Spastic hemiplegia: one side of the body is affected Spastic diplegia: only affects the legs Spastic quadriplegia: affects all four limbs. Spastic cerebral palsy often results in difficulty speaking, and cognitive functions may be normal. It is the most common form of cerebral palsy. Ataxic People with ataxic cerebral palsy have weakened muscle tone. This often results in difficulty walking, poor coordination, poor balance and challenges with fine motor skills like writing. This is the least common form of cerebral palsy. Athetoid People with athetoid cerebral palsy…
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$21 Million Award in Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit
August 6, 2012Jaylan Norfleet is 9 years old. His family’s lawyer says he is “cognitively and mentally” fine, but he struggles with physical tasks. He has trouble moving his legs and controlling his arms. This is because he was born with cerebral palsy, a series of conditions that can affect motor control and cognitive development, often caused by complications during childbirth. According to a Baltimore jury, the hospital is to blame for Jaylan’s disability. Jaylan’s family was recently awarded $21 million in a lawsuit accusing the hospital of negligence during childbirth. The family claims that the Harbor Hospital made an error in judgment when doctors chose to deliver Jaylan via vaginal birth instead of cesarean, resulting in a lack of oxygen. The hospital, which is considering appealing the decision, claims that Jaylan’s premature birth was the cause of his cerebral palsy. Premature birth is certainly a risk factor for birth trauma, but…
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