About our founder, Ken Stern, and the history of 4MyChild
Like many lawyers, the walls in the office of Ken Stern are decorated with diplomas from college and law school, and certificates of admission from many courts and state bar associations.
Ken Stern has represented families of special needs children for more than 26 years. He has always been committed to making a difference.
Inspired to fight on behalf of powerless children, the less fortunate, and underprivileged, Ken has successfully represented children and their parents. He has fought against local school boards, the United States government, doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies that had failed to provide his clients with needed care and deserved benefits. His advocacy on behalf of special needs children has taken him to numerous state legislative hearings and to Congress. He has made presentations and/or provided testimony in support of the rights of all special needs children.
Over the years, Ken was disturbed to see more children diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Erbs Palsy and other neurological conditions. Despite advances in medicine, significant differences existed in the quality of care provided. These shortcomings more often affected those lacking the best insurance or unable to afford the best physicians. Further, the increasing popularity of managed care had resulted in a number of complicated pregnancies and deliveries handled by less experienced physicians, interns, residents or midwives. As a result, children were harmed by deficient care, and their families were now confronted with increased financial stress. Compounding the problem, many parents were misinformed or deceived about the actual cause of their child’s condition. Their hopes and dreams for a healthy child had been replaced with uncertainty, and even guilt. The medical “system” had failed them, and Ken vowed to make a difference through the legal process.
Ken has a proud history of verdicts and settlements on behalf of many children and their families. A tireless advocate, on behalf of many clients, he sought justice and secured their future. (Past case results depend on the facts of each case.)
However, not every case of Cerebral Palsy can be explained by an avoidable medical mistake, leaving many special needs children without recourse through the legal system. “What about the rest of these children?” Ken asked. Every family of a child with Cerebral Palsy deserved the same quality of care, treatment and access to needed information and resources.
To achieve this goal, centralized access to cutting-edge research, therapy and resources for all would be required. For example, many special needs children were benefiting from unique therapies enabling them to take their first steps after years of immobility or reliance upon a wheelchair. A website, serving as an educational and empowering resource of current information, would assure that parents had equal access to the same knowledge and care.
His dream turned into a reality when he founded 4MyChild in 1997 and launched the website, www.4mychild.com. Since then, numerous families have benefited in important ways, from receiving adaptive equipment, medical treatment and therapy, to needed guidance, support and financial security for their child. (Past case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in future cases.) Today, 4MyChild’s dedicated researchers scan the world for any medical breakthrough, news or developments affecting every child with Cerebral Palsy. Information is quickly posted at www.4MyChild.com.
At this website, you will also learn about CarePlan4Life, a customized program which aims to provide every parent of a child with Cerebral Palsy with a free, life plan and strategy. Discussion Boards and a News/Resource Blog have been added to encourage an exchange of ideas for many critical issues. At Inspirational Stories, discover a world of possibility realized through struggle and perseverance.
Finally, we have established the 4MyChild Foundation to advance Cerebral Palsy research and to financially assist qualified families with needed treatment or therapy. To learn more about the 4MyChild Foundation, how you can contribute, or to determine your child’s eligibility for assistance, please contact us.
Your helpful suggestions to improve this site are always welcomed. You can reach Ken and our dedicated team of 4MyChild CareCenter Specialists at 800-4MYCHILD. We look forward to hearing from you.
Contact us. 4MyChild’s CareCenter Specialists are also available to assist with compassionate, personalized care. At 4MyChild help and hope for life may be available. Your helpful suggestions to improve this site are always welcomed. You can Contact Us to speak with Ken and our dedicated team of 4MyChild CareCenter Specialists at 4MyChild. We look forward to hearing from you.
