Medical Negligence Lawyers Produce Videos To Inspire Others In Their Rehabilitation

A young boy who has cerebral palsy after being starved of oxygen during his delivery is starring in an inspirational online video mini-series to highlight the impact his disability has on his and his family’s lives to help and inspire other families going through rehabilitation and recovery.

Joseph O’Reggio, now 13, has cerebral palsy which leaves him totally reliant on a wheelchair and requiring round the clock care because doctors at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton failed to act quickly when his heart rate changed as he was being delivered on 14 April 2001.

His family, in conjunction with Irwin Mitchell Solicitors who helped secure a lifetime care and rehabilitation package for him, have now produced a powerful and emotive video documentary series: Joseph’s Journey – Living with Cerebral Palsy, which highlights the impact of Joseph’s disability and demonstrates the help and support the law firm has been able to provide Joseph and his family.  

The series was launched at the beginning of October on World Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day and has given Joseph and his family the opportunity to speak about Joseph’s disabilities. It is being broadcast on the law firm’s website and is intended to inform and inspire others involved in rehabilitation and recovery.

Medical negligence specialists at Irwin Mitchell were instructed by Joseph’s parents, Rachel and Julian, who won their fight to get Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust to accept that Joe should have been delivered earlier and they were responsible for most of his injuries.

Joseph was granted a care package approved at the Royal Courts of Justice on 15 October 2013 to pay his future medical costs and rehabilitation.

The settlement will be held in a trust to cover care costs throughout Joe’s life and has allowed the family to move into a wheelchair accessible new home  in Wolverhampton with space for the overnight carers Joe requires.

Rachel, who also has two daughters and a younger son, went into labour after a healthy pregnancy on 13 April 2001, but the following day Joe’s heart rate fell and it wasn’t until just before 10pm that specialist help was called for.

He was delivered by forceps, but his heart rate was weak and the irreversible brain damage had already occurred.

Rachel, 43, said: “We are really happy to work with Irwin Mitchell to help produce a video documentary series which we hope will inspire other families and also show what help and support is available for children with disabilities. It’s not an easy situation to deal with, but there is assistance out there which has a massive positive impact on not just Joe’s life but ours too – and we wanted to share that with others.

“We have recently moved into an adapted house which has had such a positive impact not only for Joe, but for all of us as a family. The carers that we have to come and help us with Joe are brilliant and they allow us to spend more time with Joe as his parents rather than his carers. We love spending time with Joe, watching him grow and develop.”

Expert Opinion

Joe’s family have shown so much dedication and support to him to ensure he has the best possible care, but he needs one-to-one care and specialist rehabilitation services to ensure he reaches his full potential.

“The adaptations to a new house and one-to-one support make life easier for the whole family who have given up so much to care for Joe and juggled hospital appointments and rehabilitation support with trying to provide a normal family home life.

“The documentary series is absolutely fantastic and it gives an inspirational first-hand account from Joe’s family on caring for a child who has cerebral palsy. We hope that it showcases the excellent facilities and services that are available to help with their care and rehabilitation.”
Sara Burns - Partner

The video diary can be found online here.

If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of cerebral palsy, we may be able to help you claim compensation. See our Medical Negligence Guide for more information.