Posted: March 31, 2015
Facing a Cerebral Palsy diagnosis is never easy, and it becomes even more challenging if you don’t have a family, support group or medical team assisting you. We’ve discussed before the isolated feelings that can occur when parents of special needs children do not have the required individuals in place to be able to feel supported. However, we’ve never delved into the importance that a copy of your child with Cerebral Palsy’s medical records can have in helping you down the road.
Life is chaotic, and it can be particularly so if you have a child with Cerebral Palsy. We don’t need to explain all of the different ways in which daily circumstances become changed when you have a child with special needs. Instead, we prefer to illustrate how important it is to empower your family, and child, by having a copy of your child’s medical records on-hand.
Whether due to a move, dissatisfaction with a medical professional, changes in your child’s condition or a wide variety of other circumstances, you may need to change doctors. This can be a very difficult, very emotional process and we are well aware of the toll it can take on families. It also illustrates how important it can be for you to keeping the medical records relating to your child as up-to-date as possible.
Though requesting your child’s medical records may feel stressful, or even inconvenient to the medical provider, having these records in your possession is also your right as a parent. You should never feel like you are burdening anyone by requesting these records, especially given the fact they can be invaluable in a variety of circumstances.
The following is a list of situations where you and your child can benefit from having your child’s medical records on-hand:
- Traveling
- Changing doctors
- New treatment assessments
- Orthotics
- School assignment
- Legal proceedings
- Grant applications
- Legal proceedings
- Government/state assistance
- Gift requests
- And more!
Admittedly, there may be costs associated with getting copies of your child’s records that may feel prohibitive. However, there are a number of organizations that can help with this expense, including government resources. Being able to easily review medical records for past treatments, understand measures taken (whether successful or not) and to identify key components of your child’s condition can be crucial in getting the care he or she deserves.
Our organization is dedicated to helping families in any way we can, including providing information for critical resources that can dramatically influence the life or any child with Cerebral Palsy. If you or a loved one knows a child with Cerebral Palsy that could use help, regardless of income level, please call (800) 692-4453
(800) 692-4453 FREE or contact us through our easy-to-use contact form. Our team works every day to benefit children impacted by Cerebral Palsy and every family is invited to speak with us and explore the expanse of resources we have available.
If you would like to find out how we can help a family touched by CP, contact us today!
