Our History
Following the birth of their son, Johan Verbruggen (now the charity’s Chairperson), in Galway in 1989, his parents, Mary and Karel, were given very little information about Erb’s palsy—what it was, how it occurred, or what the future might hold for their son. At that time, there was a significant lack of publicly available information and resources, leaving many families feeling isolated and uncertain.
Nearly a decade later, having made contact with two other families through word of mouth, Mary and Karel sought to understand how many other children and adults in Ireland were living with the condition. In November 1998, Mary wrote a letter to The Irish Times, inviting individuals and families affected by Erb’s palsy to get in touch and to meet to explore the possibility of establishing a charity. The response was significant, and the Erb’s Palsy Association of Ireland was formally established—marking the beginning of a collective effort to provide support, information, and advocacy.
During its first decade, the charity experienced steady growth, reflecting the clear need for a national support network. Annual Family Support Days, held in Athlone, became a cornerstone of the organisation’s work. These events created valuable opportunities for families to come together, share experiences, and hear directly from therapists and surgeons about advances in care and treatment.
In more recent years, the charity faced a period of decline, which was further compounded by the Coronavirus pandemic. This disrupted many planned activities and made it more difficult to maintain connection within the community.
Today, a new Board of Trustees has taken the helm, bringing renewed energy and commitment to the charity’s mission. The current board includes Lisa George, Shiun Power, Alma Walsh, and Darragh Hynes, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. Darragh is well known within the Erb’s palsy community for his longstanding and dedicated work with the Central Remedial Clinic since 1996, and the board is grateful for the benefit of his extensive clinical expertise.
While the charity was founded and initially managed by parents of children with Erb’s palsy, it is now guided by a board that includes both parents and adults living with the condition themselves. This combination brings invaluable perspectives and insight, helping to ensure that the charity continues to address not only the medical aspects of Erb’s palsy but also the emotional and social needs of adolescents and adults living with the condition.
The board remains committed to advocating for the prevention of Erb’s palsy injuries and to ensuring that affected individuals have access to timely, expert care from physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and surgeons. Building on its strong foundations, the charity continues its work of support, education, and advocacy for families across Ireland.