Paralympian Deja Young-Craddock Is Unstoppable

Deja Young-Craddock’s first memory remains sharp: She stands in front of a jury of strangers and unties the strap of her black-and-white sundress to reveal her right shoulder. She is 4 years old. Deja is there with her parents, Delora and Don, who have filed a lawsuit against the hospital where she was born. In the first year of Deja’s life, her parents had wondered why their new baby would wince at the slightest pressure on her shoulder, why her skin would become mottled with purples and blues all the way down to her forearm, why she couldn’t learn to crawl. Eventually doctors diagnosed Deja with an injury to her brachial plexus, a network of nerves that control movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm, and hand—the result of a serious birth complication called shoulder dystocia. The complication can sometimes occur when a small-statured mother gives birth to an above-average-size infant during vaginal delivery, which was likely the case with Deja. But the hospital where Deja was born never communicated the incident to the family. The family sued not only the hospital but also the doctor who delivered her, and the case was eventually settled out of court. [View in Browser]( [Runner's World Logo]( [SHOP]( [RW+ EXCLUSIVES]( [SUBSCRIBE]( [Paralympian Deja Young-Craddock Is Unstoppable]( [Paralympian Deja Young-Craddock Is Unstoppable]( Deja Young-Craddock’s first memory remains sharp: She stands in front of a jury of strangers and unties the strap of her black-and-white sundress to reveal her right shoulder. She is 4 years old. Deja is there with her parents, Delora and Don, who have filed a lawsuit against the hospital where she was born. In the first year of Deja’s life, her parents had wondered why their new baby would wince at the slightest pressure on her shoulder, why her skin would become mottled with purples and blues all the way down to her forearm, why she couldn’t learn to crawl. Eventually doctors diagnosed Deja with an injury to her brachial plexus, a network of nerves that control movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm, and hand—the result of a serious birth complication called shoulder dystocia. The complication can sometimes occur when a small-statured mother gives birth to an above-average-size infant during vaginal delivery, which was likely the case with Deja. But the hospital where Deja was born never communicated the incident to the family. The family sued not only the hospital but also the doctor who delivered her, and the case was eventually settled out of court. [Read More]( [Alternate text] [Carb Up: Brooks x Deschutes Ghost 14 Collab]( [Carb Up: Brooks x Deschutes Ghost 14 Collab]( The shoe brand and brewery have teamed up to release a limited-edition Ghost 14—and a golden IPA beer. [Read More]( [The 12 Best Running Shorts for Men]( [The 12 Best Running Shorts for Men]( Breathable, comfortable, and secure, these shorts are ready for any run. [Read More]( [Alternate text]   [Alternate text] [Want a Stronger Arm Drive? Focus on Strengthening Your Traps]( [Want a Stronger Arm Drive? Focus on Strengthening Your Traps]( Boost your running efficiency by targeting this large upper back muscle. [Read More]( [The 5 Best Arm Sleeves for Your Fall Races]( [The 5 Best Arm Sleeves for Your Fall Races]( Stay warm in the corral and cool through the finish line. [Read more]( [13 Best Running Shorts for Women]( [13 Best Running Shorts for Women]( From simple and flowy to those with pockets aplenty, these shorts aim to please all types of runners. [Read More]( [Brooks Fights Climate Change With the Ghost 14]( [Brooks Fights Climate Change With the Ghost 14]( On a mission to help reduce net carbon emissions, the brand gave one of its most popular shoes an eco-conscious makeover. [Read More]( [Alternate text]   [Alternate text] RW SHOP The Latest from the Runner's World Collection [Run Strong in Your 40s, 50s, and 60s]( [Run Strong in Your 40s, 50s, and 60s]( [Shop Now]( [In-Training T-Shirt]( [In-Training T-Shirt]( [Shop Now]( [Fuel Up to Race Strong]( [Fuel Up to Race Strong]( [Shop Now]( [Beginner's 10K Plan (6 weeks)]( [Beginner's 10K Plan (6 weeks)]( [Shop Now]( [Alternate text] [Win the Ultimate Outdoor Activity Giveaway with $2,130 of Amazing Prizes!](  Follow Us       [Unsubscribe](  [Privacy Notice](  Runnersworld.com ©2021 Hearst Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Hearst Email Privacy, 300 W 57th St., Fl. 19 (sta 1-1), New York, NY 10019   Â