Imagine | Winter 2024
A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
Imagine | Winter 2024 A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
Imagine | Winter 2024
A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
Willow needed intervention when she got stuck during her delivery and medics had to pull her out using a suction cup. As a result, she can’t move her right arm, and was later diagnosed with Erb’s palsy.
Willow has gone on to win several horse-riding championships performing a riding trot and walk and is going from strength to strength in the sport. Willow’s ridden her two ponies, Jabula Louis and Benji, since she was 18 months old. Now aged four, she’s targeting more silverware. She’s learning how to jump on a horse which will allow her to take part in more competitions… and no doubt add to her ever-growing medal collection.
Willow needed intervention when she got stuck during her delivery and medics had to pull her out using a suction cup. As a result, she can’t move her right arm, and was later diagnosed with Erb’s palsy.
Willow has gone on to win several horse-riding championships performing a riding trot and walk and is going from strength to strength within the sport. Willow’s been riding her two ponies, Jabula Louis and Benji, since she was 18 months old. Now aged four, she’s targeting more silverware. She’s learning how to jump on a horse which will allow her to take part in more competitions… and no doubt add to her ever-growing medal collection.
Erb’s Palsy and helping others
When finding out about Willow’s diagnosis, her mum Whitney said she and Willow’s dad Danny were “devastated”. She added, “It wasn’t a condition we knew much about, but we knew it would impact her life to some degree.”
Erb’s Palsy is a type of paralysis caused by nerve damage in the arm and means Willow has poor balance and co-ordination, a stiff posture, and a tight right arm. It causes challenges with everyday tasks and can often become more apparent with age. “As Willow gets older, it’s starting to become clear she’s going to be affected,” said Whitney, “but she doesn’t let it stop her from doing what she loves.”
Even at such a young age, Willow’s determination shines through. “She thoroughly enjoys horse-riding and is brilliant at it. Nothing makes us prouder than seeing her out there with her ponies” Whitney says.
Alongside Erb’s Palsy Group, Whitney and Willow are raising awareness of the condition. “We hope that by sharing our story we can help others with the condition know that there is help available…”
...so you can live your life how you want.
Willow
Supporting the champion
Willow’s parents came to us to investigate Willow’s care during her birth. Initially the Hospital Trust denied liability, but later accepted responsibility for her injury.
Our medical negligence expert Jade Elliott-Archer supported Whitney and Danny to get the answers they deserved for their daughter.
We’re now working with the Hospital Trust to assess how Willow’s condition will affect her for the rest of her life, so she can access the specialist support and therapies she needs. As Willow grows up, she’s likely to need physiotherapy to help her stretch her shoulder joint, and surgery may be needed.
Jade says, “Willow and her family have found the past few years incredibly difficult as they come to terms with Willow’s diagnosis and what it could mean for her future.
“It’s amazing to see that at just four years old, she’s already a champion horse rider.
“Her story also highlights the impact birth injuries can have and the need for maternity safety to be upheld at all times.”
We’d like to wish our remarkable client Willow the very best of luck in her future competitions.
Supporting the champion
Willow’s parents came to us to investigate Willow’s care during her birth. Initially the Hospital Trust denied liability, but later accepted responsibility for her injury.
Our medical negligence expert Jade Elliott-Archer supported Whitney and Danny to get the answers they deserved for their daughter.
We’re now working with the Hospital Trust to assess how Willow’s condition will affect her for the rest of her life, so she can access the specialist support and therapies she needs. As Willow grows up, she’s likely to need physiotherapy to help her stretch her shoulder joint, and surgery may be needed.
Jade says, “Willow and her family have found the past few years incredibly difficult as they come to terms with Willow’s diagnosis and what it could mean for her future.
“Despite everything, Willow has shown such determination not to let her disability stop her from achieving what she wants. It’s amazing to see that at just four-years-old, she’s already a champion horse rider.
“Her story also highlights the impact birth injuries can have and the need for maternity safety to be upheld at all times.”
“Willow has shown such determination not to let her disability stop her from achieving what she wants.”
Jade Elliott-Archer - Associate, Medical Negligence
Legal support
If you or your child has suffered an injury as a result of medical negligence, we’re here to help.
We’re the leading medical negligence firm in the UK, so we know how to make a positive difference to your life. Our experienced medical negligence solicitors will take the time to understand what you’re going through, so they can help you get the answers, care, rehabilitation and compensation you deserve.