Darby Cochran’s May 25, 2018, high school graduation day was special for many reasons, one in particular: Thanks to exoskeleton technology, this 19-year-old from Georgia stood and walked to receive her diploma. What makes this feat so monumental and the milestone so momentous? Darby suffers from cerebral palsy. Reaching her goal to walk at graduation was not an easy one and, without support along the way, it could never have happened.
Cerebral Palsy and a Lifetime of Struggle
Darby, who has a twin brother, was born with cerebral palsy. She usually gets around now by using a power wheelchair, but she and her family have undoubtedly been on a challenging journey as she has grown and matured and learned how to live with this disability.
Darby is fortunate to have a family and a medical team who have helped her work around the limitations of her condition. Not every cerebral palsy sufferer is lucky enough to have the opportunity to try to use such impressive technology as an exoskeleton. Some sufferers do not even have the therapists to help them improve and expand their mobility. And some CP patients will never even have the option of trying to walk because their case of CP is so severe.
Having a child with cerebral palsy is daunting and expensive. Doctor visits, special equipment, therapy, and more are all part of living with CP. Darby has been in therapy since she was 4 years old. She has worked with a robotics therapy program for two years. It wasn’t a miracle that Darby walked at graduation – it was a combination of many hard-working variables, including the determined Darby, her determined therapists, and the visionary engineers and research and development experts who developed the exoskeleton technology.
Causes of Cerebral Palsy
None of the news about Darby’s achievement identifies how she developed cerebral palsy, but there are many ways this birth injury can occur. Lack of oxygen during delivery is one of the most likely causes of cerebral palsy. Poor prenatal care, pressure to the head, stroke at birth, or subpar care during delivery can also cause cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy affects the brain, but it has many different forms and can vary in severity and symptoms. Some children are affected more significantly than others and have greater medical and care demands. Some CP sufferers are intellectually capable but lack muscle control, leading to involuntary, abnormal movements.
Can You Afford a Support System for Your Cerebral Palsy Sufferer?
The hard work of Darby and her therapists, along with Darby’s belief in herself, are not the only elements that led to her success. Darby has had great support from her family. It is not easy accept the way your child’s life will be different from others and the way your family’s life has been permanently altered after a CP diagnosis. It helps to know that there is a financial net to help you afford the medical and therapeutic costs for a child with special needs.
If your child suffered a brain injury at birth and developed CP as a result, you deserve to be financially compensated for this medical negligence. Talk to a Michigan birth injury lawyer to learn more getting compensation for your medical bills and suffering. Contact Thurswell Law for a free consultation with one of our experienced, knowledgeable, and successful attorneys. We do not charge any fees unless you collect. Call (248) 354-2222 today.
