Finding out that your newborn child has complex needs is one of the most emotional and stressful scenarios a parent can face. This is particularly true if these complex needs are the result of trauma suffered at birth. As you come to terms with a challenging and emotional situation, here are some steps you can take to ensure that you can support your child, and yourself, in the best way possible.
Research
Unless you have a medical background, medical terminology can sound scary, especially at a time when your emotions are heightened. The best way to combat this fear is to educate yourself about your child’s needs: what their condition means, what is available to help manage and treat their condition. However, make sure that you get your information from reputable sources. Although the internet is a wealth of knowledge, it is unfortunately rife with misinformation, which, when it comes to medical conditions, can result in misdiagnosis, patients not receiving the correct treatment, and endless worry. You should only trust reputable websites, and the information and advice provided by the medical experts treating your child.
Compensation
Supporting a child with complex needs undoubtedly puts a lot of financial strain on a family. You may have to give up work in order to be a full-time carer for your child. Treatment and visits to medical specialists are often expensive, and you may want to buy various equipment to help your child and ensure that they lead as good a quality of life as possible. To help with the financial implications of your child’s complex needs, you may want to pursue a compensation claim, particularly if your child’s condition is the result of an injury suffered at birth. Pursuing a compensation claim is a daunting process you may not feel mentally capable of undertaking at such an emotionally draining time. This is why consulting a birth injury solicitor is crucial. As legal experts in this particular type of compensation claim, they will provide you with clear advice and support you through the legal process, ensuring that you get the financial compensation required to help support your child’s medical needs.
Build a network
Being the primary carer of a child with complex needs, and the challenges this entails on a daily basis, can be emotionally draining, and isolating. While you undoubtedly love your child very much, you may feel that you are the only person going through these difficulties, and no one understands the challenges you face. Building a network of other parents of children with complex needs can help ease your isolation. As well as being a great source of information about personal responses to treatments and conditions, you get the sense of community and social life. There are online forums and support organizations all over the world for parents of children with all different types of medical conditions. Social interaction with people in a similar situation to yourself will give you a mental boost and help ease the isolation.
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