League News Feb 2002_A4 - Cerebral Palsy League

BEER BARONCOMES TO THEPARTYCarlton United Breweries are makinga one-off donation of a “GrowingScout” wheelchair to League client,Molly McGrath, whose family andcommunity spent two years collectingbeer bottle tops.Two years ago, the McGrath familyheard a rumour whereby CarltonUnited Breweries would donate awheelchair to families who collectedenough bottle tops to equal theweight of that chair.The family thought this would be afantastic way to obtain a new wheelchairfor independent, seven-yearoldMolly.With help from cousins, friends andtheir local pub, the Ormeau Tavern,the McGraths succeeded in collectingfour giant garbage bags full ofbottle tops and were finally able tomake a call to CUB to claim theirprize.To their great disappointment, theywere informed the rumour was falseand that many other people hadmade similar enquiries.Molly’s mother, Margaret, wrote toCUB as a “last ditch effort” and herletter somehow reached the desk ofMr David Argus.Mr Argus was very impressed withthe effort of the McGrath family andtheir community. On behalf of CUB,he offered to purchase a newwheelchair for Molly.The “Growing Scout” Wheelchair,which costs $1930, will be black andred in support of Molly’s favouriteAFL team, the Essendon Bombers.Molly will be presented with the chairat a celebration during February,with AFL players and television’sChannel Seven in attendance.I laugh,thereforeI ami amHELP ME GROWThe League recently published abooklet, brochure and fact sheetspecifically about nutrition forchildren with cerebral palsy.The main objective of the publications,which are entitled “Help MeGrow”, is to raise awareness of theimportance of adequate nutrition forchildren with cerebral palsy. Theyare also designed to provide parentswith information on how toimprove their child’s nutrition.Feedback from parents and otherswho have read the material hasbeen very positive. Several parentshave commented that they wish theyhad had access to this informationwhen their child was younger.Queensland Health and the GoldenCasket Lottery Fund provided thefunding for the materials.SUGAR IS PERHAPSAS IMPORTANT AS OXYGENThere are many particular medical negligence.causes of cerebralpalsy. It canMr Smith recently settled a verylarge claim for a medical negligencebe caused duringcase in which he acted for an infantthe birthingwith cerebral palsy. The medicalprocess itself or in the early stagesprofession has a published templateof a neo nate’s life. It can be causedsetting out circumstances a Plaintiffby a lack of oxygen or sugar to thehas to prove to establish cerebralbrain.palsy was negligently caused.A very special knowledge of this However this is not necessarilymedical process is required and relevant to all cases as Hypoglycaemia,for example, does not fall withinincludes:• the effect played by hypoglycaemia;that template.The catalyst for investigating potentialnegligence is for members to• foetal distress; and• mishap during delivery.obtain their medical file from theHypoglcaemia is a condition that hospital (under the Freedom ofexists if blood sugar levels fall too Information Act) and send it to Mrlow.Smith for perusal. Limitation periodsapply and essentially that is threeA Queensland Solicitor, Brett Smith,years from the date of one’s 18has a special needs son and hasthbirthday. However the sooner therecently contacted the League.investigation begins, the better.Mr Smith has been in practice forShould you wish to discuss anywell over 20 years. For some 10 toaspect of a claim for medical15 of those years he has specialisedin professional negligence, innegligence involving cerebral palsy,please do not hesitate to contact MrBRETT SMITH & CO SOLICITORS •Smith.PO Box 465, Ipswich Qld 4305Tel: (07) 3281 9999 • Fax: (07) 3281 9016 • Email: bsmithco@gil.com.auMany people contributed to theproject, including parents of childrenwith cerebral palsy, speech pathologistsfrom the Cerebral PalsyLeague of Queensland, and dietitiansand medical staff fromQueensland Health.The booklet and brochure arewritten for parents and carers andthe fact sheet is aimed at healthprofessionals.To obtain a copy of the booklet,brochure or factsheet, pleasecontact theLeague speechpathologist inyour area orphone HeadOffice on (07)3358-8011 tobe put through.5