Doctor with Cerebral Palsy Specializes in Treating Condition As Well

St. Louis Children’s Hospital treats more than 2,000 children with cerebral palsy every year. However, equally as impressive is that one of the hospital’s busiest doctors was actually born with cerebral palsy herself.

According to St. Louis’ NBC affiliate KSDK-TV, Dr. Jan Brunstrom was born premature and diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a time when treatment for the condition was still in its early stages.

"When I was born," Brunstrom told KSDK. "they told my dad that I had zero chance of survival."

Despite her condition – and due in part to her mother’s insistence that she not live her life dependent on others – Brunstrom was able to overcome any issues she faced and graduate from the Medical College of Virginia. While she initially did not want to specialize in cerebral palsy treatments and instead go into neo-natal neurology, she changed her path after colleagues convinced her that she could do important work in the field.

In 1998, she put together a team of experts to start he Pediatric Neurology Cerebral Palsy Center, which cares specifically for children with cerebral palsy.

"I love it when I see kids run or walk for the first time,” Brunstrom said. "Or when I see kids succeed at things nobody ever thought they could do."

While cerebral palsy is a difficult condition to live with, it is by no means impossible if the proper types of medical care and rehabilitation are available. If you have a child with cerebral palsy that may have been caused by medical error, contact Sokolove Law today to learn more about pursuing a birth injury lawsuit. A monetary award from such a lawsuit can be put in a fund to pay for your child’s medical treatments over the course of their life.

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