Living with Erb’s Palsy: Practical and emotional support for parents and families

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Following Part One; ‘What is Erb’s Palsy?’, Part Two; ‘Living with Erb’s Palsy’, uncovers the very best practical and emotional support available for families, with Lindsey Caplan BACP.

Lindsey has a wealth of experience as a counsellor and is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

In total, she has over 20 years’ experience, supporting parents of children with life limiting conditions and illnesses. Lindsey places a particular focus on supporting parents with disabled children to confront the many challenges ahead together. [vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#164c48″]

Living a full and happy life with Erb’s Palsy

Erb’s Palsy is a condition that goes way beyond the life of the individual experiencing the paralysis.

In addition to this, living with a chronic muscle condition such as Erb’s Palsy won’t be easy.

In the counselling world, discovering what a new condition is has become known as the acknowledgment stage.

Essentially, acknowledgement is the first stage of moving forward.

Following many years working with both parents and children, the next step is generally about creating a brighter, more positive future.

From here, parents can identify positives that include knowing what Erb’s Palsy looks like and assess what else they need to grow as a functioning family.

Before being able to pinpoint what additional information or support is needed, the likelihood is one question remains; am I alone in experiencing this?

Ultimately, you should know that you aren’t alone. Even as the parent of a child experiencing paralysis such as Erb’s for the first time, this will feel overwhelming. It wouldn’t be normal if it didn’t.

What matters more than anything is appreciating that, although it may feel like it, you are not the first person experiencing this. You also will not be the last.

Erb’s Palsy support: Practical and emotional guidance

When a new condition hits you, such as Erb’s Palsy, you must remember that you are facing this for the first time, and it will feel like an uphill struggle.

Talking about your feelings, no matter how raw or difficult, can make a huge difference to you and your family.

Without realising it, you will feel a range of emotions and feelings towards conditions such as Erb’s Palsy and how it came to be.

For many families living with a disability or condition in their immediate circle, speaking about such experiences enables the family to go on to make more informed decisions.

By talking through what has happened, either with a friend or registered counsellor, you are metaphorically clearing away any debris that may have been blocking the road ahead.

If you are yet to do this, below is a list of resources open to you when learning to live with Erb’s Palsy.

Perhaps reading a little more around the subject and putting yourself in a safe place with others who are experiencing the same challenges may help.

From here, parents can identify positives that include knowing what Erb’s Palsy looks like and assess what else they need to grow as a functioning family.

Medical research & guides:

Physiopedia

A thorough journey through the condition, including useful video guides and explanations

Patient

A high level medical professional assessment of the condition

Move forward PT

A concise and useful physiotherapy guide to Erb’s Palsy

The UK’s leading Erb’s Palsy organisation: EPG

The Erb’s Palsy Group

The Erb’s Palsy Group was established in 1991 by Debbie Clark, who is a parent of a child with Erb’s Palsy.

After a seminal television interview with Lorraine Kelly in 1994, the groups membership grew overnight and has seen the group lead the away in Erb’s Palsy awareness here in the UK.

The British Trauma Association

A charity fully in support of women who have experience of birth trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following birth.

According to the Associations latest research, about 30,000 women a year experience birth trauma in the UK with Erb’s Palsy being included within this figure.

Among many issues, birth trauma can also sometimes mean that it can be difficult for a mother to bond with their baby. In addition to their work, the group acknowledge that witnessing someone else’s trauma can also be traumatic, so partners can experience PTSD too.

Ellie Erb’s

Ellie, Herself, suffers from Erb’s Palsy and her blog and YouTube channel focus on providing support and insight to others who also have the condition. View and contactIf you suspect your child was born with Erb’s Palsy, speak to our expert team today on 0330 013 0251 or make your claim here