United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My name is Tracey McIntosh, my daughter Kadeisha was born in 1999 with right BPI. My husband and I were devistated when we saw our daughter's arm. My former OB/Gyn told us that she was born with weak muscles in her right shoulder and she would eventually be ok. Well that was 3 years and bi-weekly therapy appointments ago. She still can't use or right arm properly nor can she straighten it out. My former OB/Gyn told me that she wouldn't need surgery. Me and my husband hired a lawyer out of Southfield, MI, but he said there was nothing he could do for us. We even took her to a neurologist and he diagnosed it as BPI. During the time of my delivery, my husband tried to video tape the procedure, but my doctor was so upset, he told my husband if he did not get the video recorder out he would call up security. So we only have a little on tape. If there is anyone that can refer us to a lawyer in Michigan please help. Thank you and please keep us in your prayers.

Hi Tracey,

I think that a real important step you should be taking is to get her to a brachial plexus specialist. They will help you define the nature of her injury and also tell you what you can do to help her arm become more functional. I don't know of a bpi specialist in Michigan however there will be a picnic in Ohio on June 1st. You can read about this on www.members.aol.com/kritz74433 - the Ohio Erb's Palsy Brachial Plexus Injury Support Group is sponsoring a picnic at the Columbus, Ohio Zoo on June 1st. And at the picnic a team from Texas Childrens Hospital will be coming to talk and evaluate families/kids. Also at the picnic will be a bpi specialist attorney (Djordjevic) and you will be able to talk with them as well. (They travel the country doing cases.)

Also - you can have your therapist videotape an evaluation of your daughter and you can send it to Texas Childrens Hospital. I have information on how to do this at http://www.injurednewborn.com/maia/video.html. By the way - there is free medical airfare that you can tap into if you want to go down to Texas.

There is a lot of information on line for you to read. http://ubpn.org/awareness - click on birth injury

Then on my site there is a specific page about hiring an attorney http://www.injurednewborn.com/maia/attorney.html

There are so many families that visit the message boards here - so I hope you stick around and keep on asking questions. We're here for you!

-francine
http://www.injurednewborn.com
http://www.injurednewborn.com/maia/homepage.html

Thank you so very much. I will discuss this with my husband and hopefully will meet you at the picnic. Thank you again.

Welcome again Traci...

Kath