Assessing the future for a baby with a brain injury is important. From the time that a family is told that their baby has a brain injury, assessments must begin. With that said, what can happen is that families can sometimes get emotionally tied into the moment and lose all connection with the future. Taking care of the needs of today is crucial, however, this does not mean that the future should be forgotten.
In this birth injury educational article, I will discuss the importance of not losing sight of the future due to concerns today. For some babies, although they have been diagnosed with a brain injury, like HIE, or hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, this does not mean that they cannot live a long and fulfilling life to the best of their capability.
THE POSSIBLE OUTLOOK FOR A BABY WITH A HIE DIAGNOSIS…
Looking at the outlook for a baby who has been diagnosed with HIE can vary from baby to baby. This is because there are a lot of factors which must be taken into consideration when a baby has a brain injury. Depending on the severity of the injury, the outlook can vary. One thing that parents must consider with a brain injury is what area(s) of the brain have been injured. Knowing this can help understand the challenges that your child might face into the future.
The above paragraph also gives some guidance why parents cannot just look at impact a brain injury has had on another baby and assume that the same will hold true for their baby. Without knowing the severity of the injury and the area(s) impacted, it will be hard to know exactly if another baby who has a brain injury has the same set of circumstances going on as your baby.
Doctors can use scans and other imaging tools to have a better understanding of a baby’s brain injury. For families, it can be a good idea to talk with doctors regarding the injury and what challenges they think the injury may have in-store for the baby.
ASSESSING THE FUTURE FOR A BABY WITH A BRAIN INJURY
One of the main reasons why parents need to think about the future when caring for a baby with a brain injury is because the baby will have needs which will go into the future. Depending on the severity of the injury, in some cases, babies will be able to function as they get older. By that, I mean that with the use of certain equipment, things like walking and movement might occur. For example, what if with the help of braces, and other types of physical therapy, walking might be achieved?
On the flip side, what about thinking about how the family will position itself to be able to afford things like braces and physical therapy? Or what about, as one mother told me, what will we have in place for our baby as we get older?
These are real concerns and can be just as important for your child’s success as what is happening in the immediate moment. But because of the draw and need for resources today, sometimes parents lose sight of tomorrow. It is my hope that this article and supporting video has explained the importance of assessing the future for a baby with a brain injury.
HAS YOUR BABY BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH HIE?
To speak with me further about your child’s HIE diagnosis this is what I invite you to do. Pick up the phone and call me. I speak with families all the time regarding birth trauma and brain injuries, as this is what we do.
You can reach me at 301-850-4832.
Marcus B. Boston, Esq.
2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 700
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
1-833-4 BABY HELP
