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Cerebral Palsy

Play Without Limits – Why it Matters!

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At Pacific Medical Law, we know that for kids, playing is not a luxury – it is their “work”. It is how children learn to interact with their environment, develop physical skills and strength, expand their imagination and build friendships. It is indeed the essence of childhood. The importance of play in a child’s life simply cannot be over-emphasized.

Kids with disabilities are just like all other kids – they want to play, explore and have fun with friends. Yet, notwithstanding our common experience and the medical research which supports the importance of play in a child’s life, there is little support offered to children with disabilities to create recreational opportunities and support their ability to engage in play. Children with disabilities often need specialized equipment or other supports to facilitate their participation.

We are proud to support the efforts of the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC to assist them in raising funds to create opportunities for our youngest members to play. Last year, through the generous support of our community, we were able to provide an adaptive bike to a little girl with cerebral palsy named Eleeka. She rode a bike for the first time in her life – and her smile said it all! I had a chance to meet with Eleeka and it was clear to me that she and her family were very happy for her to have this special bicycle so she could be active in the sunshine.

To be in a position to put a smile on the face of a child is an opportunity that should not be missed. To be able to provide an opportunity for a child to grow, to laugh and to build friendships that they might not otherwise have is an opportunity that should be seized upon. It is a unique opportunity where doing something small can make a significant difference in the life of a child.

Kids with disabilities are resilient. They are fighters. They have overcome challenges and hurdles that few of us can comprehend. They deserve the same opportunities as all other kids. I am committed to doing what I can to make a difference in the lives of children living with cerebral palsy.

September – Pacific Medical Law is Steppin’ Up to Support Children Living with Cerebral Palsy

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As part of our commitment to assist children living with cerebral palsy, both inside and outside the courtroom, the lawyers at Pacific Medical Law are once again participating in September – an annual fundraiser to raise funds and awareness for children living with cerebral palsy.

In the past, Pacific Medical Law was honoured to have been awarded the Top Fundraising Organization in Canada, raising over $8,000. Our mission this year is to raise at least the same amount of money, but to expand our reach and focus on raising awareness of cerebral palsy in our communities. Our goal is to encourage as many people as possible to show their support for people living with cerebral palsy by making a contribution in any amount they wish. We want to send a strong message to people living with cerebral palsy that the communities in which they live care about them and support them.

Please show your support by making a donation to at: https://event.September.ca/donate/search?search=steppin%27+up

No donation is too small, and a tax receipt will be provided for all donations over $10.

*image via https://research.cerebralpalsy.org.au

Making a Difference in the Lives of People Living with Cerebral Palsy: One Step at a Time

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Guest Contributor: Dan Chalcraft

This September the Cerebral Palsy Association of British Columbia will be hosting September for the third straight year- an annual health and wellness fundraising challenge to raise funds to improve the lives of people living with cerebral palsy.

The challenge is for a team of one to four people to register for September, complete 10,000 steps a day for 28 days in September, and collect pledges to raise money for cerebral palsy. Walking isn’t the only activity that participants can do to achieve better health; swimming, yoga, running, strength training classes, dog walks, wheelchair basketball, and rugby have been activities that participants can do to help make a positive impact and difference in the lives of people living with cerebral palsy (CP). There are more than 40 activities you can convert to steps including activities suitable for people with a disability.

Each team will have seven virtual summits to climb during their fundraising journey. The number of steps it takes to reach the top of each summit is directly related to the height of the summit. Each participant will reach all seven summits and the top of their virtual mountain by the end of September if they reach their target steps per day.

Susanne Raab, Chair of the September Committee, who participated in the challenge for the first time last year along with three of her colleagues, commented that they were surprised through doing the activities how much fun they had and how motivated they became to complete their 10,000 steps every day. “We had to be creative and stretch our comfort zones,” she said. “Last year our team raised over $8,000 and we were thrilled to be recognized as the top fundraising organization in Canada. This year we look forward to working even harder to beat that record.”

CP is a physical disability that affects movement and posture. It refers to a group of disorders affecting a person’s ability to move. The neurological condition normally occurs before, during, or after birth for a number of reasons usually it is a lack of blood supply, which means oxygen doesn’t flow to the brain causing brain damage or causing the brain to not fully develop. The damage leads to, among other things, problems with muscle development, control and movement.

Every 11 hours a Canadian child is born with CP and every hour 30 infants are born with CP globally. Cerebral Palsy is the most common disability in childhood and every step you take in September will go towards supporting cerebral palsy associations across Canada.

Raab said, “reflecting back on the last fundraising challenge, I would have to say that one of the most rewarding aspects of participating in September is the conversations it started with family, friends and even strangers, who, once they understand more about what cerebral palsy is and how it affects people, were so generous and willing to contribute.”

Raab, who also practices as a lawyer at Pacific Medical Law, said, “we are all very connected to the lives and challenges of people living with cerebral palsy as many of our clients are children living with cerebral palsy. We see their daily struggles, but more importantly we see their strength and resilience in the face of these challenges. We also see the worry and concern in the faces of their parents, which is only overshadowed by their deep love for their child.”

She believes that it’s so rewarding to contribute to this fundraising effort. “We know that raising these funds is necessary to enable the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC to continue to support and provide services for people living with cerebral palsy, and we can see it makes a difference in the lives of people living with cerebral palsy.

Taewon Kook, a 28 year-old Port Moody resident, participated in the September challenge last year and was introduced to wheelchair rugby and basketball indicating that these are his favourite activities to participate in. “September has taught participants about perseverance by doing fundraising activities such as meeting potential donors and persuading them to contribute to the cause,” he said.

He decided to join the campaign due to the fact that he has CP and wants to make a difference. The Simon Fraser Sociology graduate plans to participate this year in the September challenge and would like to reach out to people to ask for offline donations.

People who would like to get involved or support the cause can find out more information online at http://September.ca/ or e-mail [email protected].

*image via cerebralpalsyguide.com

Induction of Labour: what you should know

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Induction of labour is the artificial initiation of labour before its spontaneous onset. Induction rates vary widely across British Columbia but roughly 15-30% of all mothers have their labour induced. Across Canada, induction rates average approximately 20%. The most common reason for inducing labour is post-dates pregnancy (pregnancy extending beyond 41 weeks).

Given the high rate of induction in Canada, it is important for expectant mothers to have an understanding of the risks and benefits of induction. Before inducing labour, physicians have a legal obligation to discuss its risks and benefits and to allow their patient to make an informed choice. Whether induction is offered as an option, its relative risks and benefits will depend on each individual woman’s circumstances. However, there are some general principles that the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) have outlined.

Indications and Contraindications

First and foremost, induction carries risks; as a result, it should only be done when there is a convincing and compelling reason. There are many compelling reasons for a care provider to offer induction. Some examples include suspected fetal compromise, significant maternal disease not responding to treatment, and pregnancy extending beyond 41 weeks. Convenience (for the patient or the care provider) is not considered by the SOGC to be a convincing reason for inducing labour. A large baby (unless the mother is diabetic) is also not considered to be an acceptable reason to induce labour.

There are also clinical situations where induction should be specifically avoided. These situations include abnormal fetal presentation, significant prior uterine surgery, active genital herpes, and pelvic structural deformities. For women who have had a prior caesarean section, the type of incision will affect whether induction of labour is appropriate. In this situation, the SOGC recommends that the prior surgical report should be obtained to confirm that the previous incision will not create undue risk for the patient.

Benefits and Risks of Induction

The primary benefit, and goal, of induction of labour is to allow a mother to give birth as naturally as possible.

This benefit must be balanced against the known risks of induction. Induction of labour can increase the risk of caesarean section, as well as the risk of the use of forceps or vacuum, and can also increase the risk of failure to achieve labour. There is an increased risk of chorioamnionitis (a bacterial infection that can occur before or during labour), excessively frequent uterine contractions (which can affect the baby’s heart rate), and rupture of the uterus (a very serious obstetrical emergency). When the mother’s membranes are artificially ruptured, induction is associated with an increased risk of umbilical cord compression during labour, which cuts off the baby’s oxygen supply. Induction also increases the risk of inadvertently delivering a premature infant when fetal age has not been accurately dated.

Conclusion

Induction of labour may be the right choice for an expectant mother. However, since it is associated with some serious risks, expectant mothers should ensure that they have a thorough discussion with their physician to ensure they understand the reasons why induction is being recommended in their unique circumstances, as well as the specific risks and benefits that apply to the mother and her baby.

If at Birth you Don’t Succeed…

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Zach Anner was born 2 months early, weighing in at 3 pounds and 7 ounces, and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. He explains, “There is no denying it – I was a crappy baby who failed my way into this world, and I’ve been making the best of it ever since.”

And so he has. As a young adult, Zach has amassed considerable fame in his life. He has had his own travel show on the Oprah Winfrey Network called Rollin’ with Zach, and has hosted a show called Have a Little Faith for Rainn Wilson’s media company SoulPancake. He also has his own popular shows on his own YouTube Channel called Riding Shotgun and Workout Wednesdays, which has over 10 millions hits.

In his recent memoir, “If at Birth you Don’t Succeed”, Zach recounts the peaks and valleys of his life living with cerebral palsy. A gifted storyteller, Zach takes his readers on a journey with him through a life of adventures, triumph and failure to friendship, love and loss. He does so with an honesty that will make your heart ache and a sense of humour that will make you fall out of your chair with laughter. Along the way he shares pearls of wisdom such as this,

What I’ve learned from taking a bird’s-eye view of my life so far is that the good fortune I’ve had has come from seizing not just my moments but my mistakes. I might not be able to tie my own shoelaces, but if there’s one skill I’ve perfected, it’s the art of finding the humor and the purpose in every failure. I’ve accepted that we’ve all got crap to deal with and problems that we’re fighting not to be defined by. At the end of the day, we all want the same stuff: fulfillment, love, support, comfort, and a hot-air balloon with laser guns attached to it. The most important thing is that we appreciate the crazy ride we’re on.

Simply put, Zach is brilliant – his perseverance, optimism and sharp wit pierce through the often dim shadows cast on the lives of people living with disabilities, and serve to enlighten and uplift us all.

Heartfelt, hilarious and inspiring, this book is a must read.

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