When a child is born with a birth injury, all attention is focused on them, and fairly so. Since they cannot protect or care for themselves, the duty to protect and provide falls on you, the parent. But no one ever talks about the emotional weight that has now been bestowed on the parents of this child.
Sometimes, you might be lucky and the injury will go away on its own. In other situations, you might be stuck with a struggling child for several years.
www.abclawcenters.com cares about parents like you. Lawyers from this award-winning law firm have a track record of helping parents like you prosecute those responsible for the birth injuries of their infants. They will fight on your behalf while you try to balance the emotional toll of being the parent of a birth injury victim.
How the Parent Suffers Emotionally
Here are some of the common emotional consequences that parents of birth injury victims suffer:
Shattered Dreams
The initial shock can be overwhelming. All your visions of a healthy child playing, milestones achieved, and dreams for the future can be shattered. You’ll probably be clouded with feelings of guilt, anger, and blame.
You might question everything including the decisions you made during pregnancy and the care you received during delivery.
You should know that all of these feelings are normal, so try to take it easy on yourself. It’s okay to grieve the loss of the future you envisioned and allow yourself to feel the weight of this new reality.
Fear of the Unknown
You might be left in the dark about what is to come next. Doctors may use terms you don’t understand, the treatment options may seem endless, and the long-term prognosis might be unclear.
All of this uncertainty can surely be overwhelming. But relax and take a deep breath. You don’t have to have all the answers right now.
Right now, focus on gathering information. Ask questions, and find a support system that includes doctors, therapists, and other parents who understand your journey.
Sheer Burden
Caring for a child with a birth injury can be physically and emotionally demanding. Therapies, appointments, and constant monitoring can leave you feeling exhausted.
You’ll likely face feelings of inadequacy that leave you wondering if you’re doing enough to help your child reach their full potential. It’s typically worse if you’re a single parent doing it all on your own without any support.
You should know that you are your child’s strongest advocate. Learn as much as you can about their condition, but don’t be afraid to delegate tasks and ask for help.
Strained Relationships
The impact doesn’t just affect you. Your partner might be struggling with similar emotions, bottled up, or expressed differently. Spouses have been known to abandon their partners to cater for their child’s birth injury alone.
At this point, communication is key. Both partners must learn to talk openly about their fears, frustrations, and hopes. They can lean on each other for support and work together as a team to give themselves and their child all the support that they need.
Overlooked Children
While catering to your troubled child, it’s easy to cast all your attention on them and forget about your other kids. They might feel confused, neglected, or even jealous of the extra attention their sibling receives.
To avoid this, you should make an effort to spend quality time with them, reassure them of your love, and explain their sibling’s situation in an age-appropriate way.
Wrapping Up
The road ahead will have its ups and downs. But know that you are strong, capable, and deeply loved. And remember, if there was someone who caused you to undergo all of this overwhelming emotional toll, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible to bring them to book.