Times Colonist
February 3, 2004
BY RICHARD WATTS
Times Colonist staff
When Holly Strachan brought her developmentally disabled baby girl, Sidney, back home some of the worst moments came when people asked to see the baby.
"They would just look at her," Strachan, 36, testified in B.C. Supreme Court in Victoria Monday. "They didn't want to pick her up. They didn't want to hold her."
"They didn't know what to do with her - even I didn't even know what to do with her."
Strachan was testifying in a suit launched against several doctors, nurses and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
Problems encountered at the Nanaimo hospital during birth mean Strachan's daughter, Sidney, now 6, now suffers cerebral palsy, developmental delay, and regular seizures. She also needs braces on her legs.
Joe Arvay, representing the Strachan family, said in his opening statement that two of the doctors and the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital have admitted liability in the case.
And the maximum amount, $290,000 in damages associated with pain and suffering has already been agreed, Arvay told the court. What is in dispute in the trial is the amount of money Sidney and her family will receive to help with her special care in the future.
"Sidney will receive lifelong care. That fact is not disputed," said Arvay. "What is disputed is the nature and quality of that care."
Chris Hinkson, the lawyer acting for the doctors, said outside the courtroom that everybody agrees Sidney requires and deserves assistance for the future.
"There is no question she is entitled to that. It is a question of how much," said Hinkson.
The case continues today.
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