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Making Beaches More Accessible

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Vancouver is famous for its lovely beaches – beaches that are largely inaccessible to those who rely on a wheelchair for their mobility.

At Pacific Medical Law we understand the challenges that wheelchair users and their families can experience when trying to engage in recreational activities. That’s why we were excited to learn that the Vancouver Park Board is launching a pilot project to improve beach accessibility. Beginning in August a fixed mat will be installed at the English Bay bath house, running down to the water all the way down to the low tide line. Complete with several connected platforms, the hope is that wheelchair users can be joined by friends and family for a day of fun in the sun.

This pilot project will run until the end of the summer, and if it proves to be a success, more mats will be installed at other beaches for the summer of 2018.

Some equipment is already available in Vancouver to improve beach accessibility. At the Kitsilano lifeguard station a rolled-up mat is available, but it must be requested in advance of use. Both Jericho Beach and English Bay offer a wheelchair designed for beach and water use, with big tires to negotiate the sand. The difficulty with all of this equipment is that the wheelchair user must rely on lifeguard staff to be available to provide the equipment. The great thing about the Mobi-mat is that once it is installed it will be available all day, every day, removing one of the complications that a wheelchair user and their family must grapple with in order to enjoy a day at the beach!

Read more about the Mobi-mat system here:

http://www.mobi-mat-chair-beach-access-dms.com/recpath/

Read more about the story here:

http://globalnews.ca/news/3571683/disabled-advocates-applaud-vancouvers-proposal-for-more-accessible-beaches/

Photo from the Mobi-mat website

Engaging Patients in Reducing Preventable Harm

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At Pacific Medical Law all of our clients have concerns about the health care they have received. Often they have tried to be active participants in their care by asking questions and reporting concerns about their care, but those concerns are not always heard. Engaging Patients in Patient Safety – a Canadian Guide recognizes that patients often see solutions to problems but are not always asked for their ideas. The Guide was developed by the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) in partnership with Patients for Patient Safety Canada (PFPSC) with a goal of encouraging collaboration among patients, families, healthcare providers, managers and leaders to identify risks, support those involved in an incident and find ways to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Guide describes ways that patients can be involved in preventing incidents in health care and what patients and families can do if a family member has experienced unanticipated harm. For example it suggests:

For your safety and the safety of others:

  • Get informed, educate yourself, and ask questions.
  • Actively participate in your own care and treatment.
  • Share information, concerns, and suggestions.
  • Work closely with your care providers, especially during care transitions.
  • Learn how to reduce infection risks while at home and in the community.

If you or your family member has experienced unanticipated harm:

  • Speak up and ask questions about what happened, why, and what will be done about it.
  • Seek out the proper way to report the incident.
  • Expect an apology and to be informed about next steps.
  • Ask for practical or emotional support to cope with the incident.
  • Find out where else you can find support if you feel you are not getting the answers you need (e.g., patient complaints or ombudsman office).
  • Share ideas, concerns, and suggestions to improve the incident management process.

The Guide emphasizes the importance of patients and caregivers working together collaboratively and proactively to shape safe, high-quality care delivery, co-design safer care systems, and continuously improve to keep patients safe.

You can read more about the initiative here:

http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/bridging-the-gap-between-patients-and-providers-625494873.html

New Mind-Controlled Robotic Hand Restores Independence in Daily Activities after Quadriplegia or Stroke Deficits

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A new mind-controlled robotic hand may help increase independence for people living with quadriplegia or the effects of a stroke, according to a recent study published in Science Robotics.

The low-cost robotic device – a hybrid brain/neural hand exoskeleton – was tested on six people with quadriplegia affecting their ability to grasp or manipulate objects. Participants wore a cap that measured electric brain activity and eye movement, which allowed them to send signals to a tablet computer that controlled the glove-like device attached to their hand. The device used a system known as brain-machine interfaces (BMIs), in which the participants’ visualization of a closing hand results in the actual hand-closing of the robotic device. Within 10 minutes, participants were able to learn how to use the device, enabling them to perform everyday tasks such as using a fork, drinking from a cup, or signing their name.

While brain-controlled robotic aids for people with quadriplegia or stroke deficits are not new, many existing systems require implants which can cause health problems, or use wet gel to transmit signals from the scalp to electrodes. Because the gel needs to be washed out of the user’s hair afterwards, it is impractical for daily use.

Participants in the study were individuals with high spinal cord injuries – they were able to move their shoulders but not their fingers. A limitation to the system is that users must have sufficient shoulder and arm function to reach out with the robotic hand. As well, mounting the system requires help from another person.

The authors of the study stated that the device could be brought to market within two years and would cost 5,000 to 10,000 euros ($7,100 – $14,200 in Canadian dollars) depending on functionality. The device could also be used to help re-train the brains of stroke patient undergoing rehabilitation, the authors state.

In our practice, we have represented many people who live with quadriplegia or have suffered the effects of a stroke, so we closely follow new developments in the field of rehabilitation. We are hopeful that brain/neural-assisted technology will offer increased independence and autonomy for people who have suffered such injuries.

Pacific Medical Law Supports the 2017 Janna Epp Bursary

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Pacific Medical Law has established a bursary in honour of Janna Epp, a beautiful, determined young girl with cerebral palsy who faced challenges that few of us could imagine. Sadly on October 11, 2012, Janna passed away.

In memory of Janna, Pacific Medical Law donates $5,000 to a child living with cerebral palsy in BC every year, to assist with that child’s care, therapy, equipment or recreation.

If you have a child with cerebral palsy who could benefit from these funds, please send in your application. The recipient of the bursary will be selected by Janna’s mother.

Applications are due July 1, 2017

Contact Pacific Medical Law for application details:

604-685-2361 or toll free 604-685-2361

[email protected]

Susanne Raab is Selected to become a Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America

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Susanne Raab is honored to have been invited to become a Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America (the “LCA”).The LCA is a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than one-half of one percent of lawyers in North America.

Fellowship in the LCA is highly selective and by invitation only. Fellows are selected based upon excellence and accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, and superior ethical reputation. The LCA is aggressively diverse in its composition. Established as a trial and appellate lawyer honorary society reflecting the American bar in the twenty-first century, the LCA represents the best in law among its membership. The number of Fellowships has been kept at an exclusive limit by design, allowing qualifications, diversity and inclusion to align effectively, with recognition of excellence in litigation across all segments of the bar. Fellows are generally at the partner or shareholder level, or are independent practitioners with recognized experience and accomplishment. In addition, the LCA is dedicated to promoting superior advocacy, professionalism and ethical standards among its Fellows

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