Providing information and support for families and sufferers of Erbs Palsy
Contacting Medical People
Be Assertive
You have a right to information about your child’s condition. Most professionals today will answer your questions fully so use your energy positively. Take a friend with you for support if you need to.
Inform Yourself
Read up as much as you can either from leaflets produced by the Association or from reliable Internet websites such as those for which we provide links on this website. Medical professionals will be encouraged to be more open with you if you actually have some knowledge of what Erbs Palsy is. Do not assume that all Erbs Palsy cases are the same. Your child will have specific injuries requiring specific treatment. Do not suppose your child should be getting a type of treatment that another Erbs Palsy child has received. Nevertheless be aware of what possible treatments there might be for Erbs Palsy injuries.
Preparation
Before visiting a medical professional write down the questions you want to ask. It is common for parents to be overawed or unable to take in what they are being told by medical experts. If you list your questions you will not forget to ask those that are most important to you. In this way you ensure that you get the most from your visits to the medical experts. Note down as many of the answers as you can at the time or on leaving the room. Your memory will soon lose the information otherwise.
Keep Records
It is important to keep a file on all the stages of your child’s growth and how Erbs Palsy has affected your child. Medical experts will, many years later, ask questions going back to the birth of your child. Note the treatments your child has had and keep all medical reports for your child’s information later in life.
Interpretation of Progress
Be aware that you want to hear positive news about your child. Medical professionals may sometimes have a different meaning than a parent may have for a “good result” when talking about the outcome of a procedure. A parent may interpret the phrase as being well beyond the improvement that the medical professional envisages, so ask exactly what improvements will be brought about and how useful they will be. You have to act in the child’s best interests so inform yourself about proposed treatments for the child.
Don’t Blame the Person who is Helping Your Child
It is possible that you may feel aggrieved that your child was injured in the course of being born. Don’t let this prejudice you in your dealings with all medical professionals. The medical professionals with whom you are now dealing are trying to help your child attain the best quality of life possible. Do not be tempted to take out your frustrations on those who are acting in your child’s best interests.