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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
In disability case, government is 100 per cent right
Ibrahim Usta / The Canadian Press archives Premature babies and other low-weight infants such as twins and triplets are more prone to cerebral palsy than babies carried to full term. (CP)
2Cerebral palsy is one of the most common congenital disorders. In Canada and the U.S, more than 500,000 children and adults suffer from it.
Some children suffer involuntary and uncontrolled movements, or a loss of balance and depth perception. This makes simple tasks, such as standing still, difficult. Others have learning problems and difficulty controlling bladder and bowel functions.
It's believed some cases are the result of trauma to the brain during labour and delivery. Or, that infection, uterine maternal problems or other unknown factors interfere with brain development. Fortunately, cerebral palsy does not get worse over time.
Premature babies, those who weigh 3.3 pounds, and other low-weight babies such as twins and triplets are more prone to cerebral palsy than babies carried to full term.
But brain damage can also occur in early infancy. For instance, the shaken-baby syndrome, bacterial meningitis, malnutrition or a car accident without proper seatbelt security can result in cerebral palsy.
Obvious symptoms of cerebral palsy are easy to diagnose. But in some cases, diagnosis is incomplete until doctors see a delay in normal developmental guidelines, such as reaching for toys at four months or sitting up by eight months.
There are too many unknown factors associated with this disability. But practising preventive medicine can help to lower the risk. As soon as women become pregnant, they should make sure they maintain a healthy diet, and unless absolutely necessary, avoid prescription medication.
The type of care cerebral palsy children require depends on the extent of the disability. Some may need help for visual impairment or blindness, hearing loss, speech therapy and sleep disorders. Others may require surgery for dislocated hips or scoliosis, a curvature of the spine commonly associated with this disease.
I'm sure only the parents, facing the daily task of caring for any disabled child, know the full extent of the problem.
Don Cherry established the Rose Cherry Home for Kids years ago to help parents. Known now as the Darling Home for Kids, it cares for children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
Like many, I hate to see my taxes wasted. But I'll gladly pay for the new legislation that is helping children and adults with disabilities. Canadians may not receive the benefit unless my friend and other parents become aware of what's called the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP).
If you are a Canadian resident under age 60 and eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, you qualify for the RDSP. Parents and guardians open an RDSP account for their disabled family member. The lifetime limit of the contribution to the plan is $200,000 that will grow tax-deferred. The government will fund the account up to $70,000. Since July 2011, proceeds from a deceased parent's or grandparent's RRSP, RRIF and Registered Pension Plan may be rolled over into an RDSP.
You don't need the wisdom of Solomon to know this is a good deal for not only cerebral palsy children, but for all disabled Canadians and their families. My friend is looking into this RDSP and so should others. Not often is the government 100 per cent right. But in this case, it is!
info@docgiff.com
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 5, 2012 A19
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