Alex Ma, a well-known super-fan of the Australian rugby team the Sea Eagles, underwent a surgery designed to help overcome some of the issues he has with his legs due to cerebral palsy. Ma happens to be in a very high state of physical fitness, which, according to an article in Manly-Daily, made him a good candidate for the surgery. The surgery involved de-rotating his right femur and tibia, making it easier for him to walk. This is only one of the very innovative surgeries that are being done to remedy the mobility issues that Cerebral Palsy sufferers have.
Surgery in Adults
Most young people and children, of course, are terrified at the prospect of having a surgery done. This is understandable; it can be very painful and there are always serious risks involved. Even so, however, children are usually better equipped to go through surgeries simply because they recover so much more quickly than do adults. Mr. Ma is a rare case in this regard, though adults can undergo various surgeries to help them alleviate the symptoms of cerebral palsy, as well.
Whether the surgeries are ones that mechanically correct problems with the body, such as Mr. Ma’s, or ones that sever nerves or use other techniques to alleviate the symptoms of cerebral palsy, they can be very effective. The problem for many families with a member with Cerebral Palsy, however, is that these surgeries can also be very expensive. Sometimes, paying for cerebral palsy rehabilitation can entail costs that range into the tens of thousands of dollars (or more), and that means that many families, unfortunately, simply cannot afford to give their children access to treatments that might help. Australia has a national healthcare system, which helps people in that nation. In the US, it can be much more difficult to get the money to pay for such surgeries.
Paying for the Costs
There are cases where it becomes apparent that a child has cerebral palsy specifically because of healthcare provider negligence. When this is the case, suing for damages is an option. The strength of your case will have to be determined by an attorney, however, most work on contingency (no-win, no-fee). This is usually the best option for parents of children with Cerebral Palsy who haven’t enough to pay upfront, and most reputable attorneys work under such agreements.