Category Archives: Cerebral Palsy Treatment

A child's symptoms can start with a weak or shrill cry, which seems normal enough. But then other problems appear, such as not being able to swallow or suck properly and having an overly floppy or stiff body. These are early signs of a group of disorders called Cerebral Palsy (CP), which is the No. 1 cause of motor disability in American children and affects over 11,000 new kids every year. Doctors treat the lifelong symptoms with physical therapy and drugs, but are unable to reverse the brain damage, which happens in the womb for most CP children. Now a study using a nanoparticle has successfully repaired damaged brains in rabbits with CP. A research team engineered a particle small enough to deliver anti-inflammatory drugs to overactive neurons in the brain that are killing healthy cells. Children with CP have varying types of brain damage due to genetic mutations, maternal infections that affect fetal brain development, lack of oxygen to the fetus or baby, or traumatic brain injury. In many of these cases, two types of immune cells in the brain become activated: microglia and astrocytes. They protect the brain during infection and inflammation, but damage the brain when they … Continue reading →

RIDING a bike for the first time George Balding is thriving after an operation to ease his cerebral palsy. The eight-year-old was diagnosed with the condition at just 15 weeks old, after he was born prematurely at St John's Hospital, weighing just three pounds and two ounces. FIGHTING FIT: Vikki and Jamie Balding with son George The Chronicle has followed his story since September last year when his parent's announced plans to raise 45,000 to send him to America for treatment. He returned earlier this year and is relatively fit. He is no longer in pain and can sit, stand flat-footed and ride a bike. His mother Vikki Balding said: "George's progress has been consistent and amazing. "George still has problems with his right hip which is 50 per cent uncovered and will need to be corrected in February next year. "We are so grateful to everyone for all they did to help with the fundraising they all helped to change George's life forever. "He is getting stronger every day and although we are not fundraising anymore, we are really busy keeping up with George's daily exercises." Original post: Essex Chronicle published George is feeling fitter after operation to ease … Continue reading →

RIDING a bike for the first time George Balding is thriving after an operation to ease his cerebral palsy. The eight-year-old was diagnosed with the condition at just 15 weeks old, after he was born prematurely at St John's Hospital, weighing just three pounds and two ounces. FIGHTING FIT: Vikki and Jamie Balding with son George The Chronicle has followed his story since September last year when his parent's announced plans to raise 45,000 to send him to America for treatment. He returned earlier this year and is relatively fit. He is no longer in pain and can sit, stand flat-footed and ride a bike. His mother Vikki Balding said: "George's progress has been consistent and amazing. "George still has problems with his right hip which is 50 per cent uncovered and will need to be corrected in February next year. "We are so grateful to everyone for all they did to help with the fundraising they all helped to change George's life forever. "He is getting stronger every day and although we are not fundraising anymore, we are really busy keeping up with George's daily exercises." See more here: Essex Chronicle published George is fitter and on mend … Continue reading →

Members of the Rock Harbor Church in Mission Viejo werent watching when Andrew Burkhart, five years old and wearing a brace on his left leg, scampered out of an Orange County medical clinic and into the parking lot, looking for lizards and snails. But they were there in spirit. Andrew had been stuck for an hour in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber getting treatment for cerebral palsy, and now everyone agreed he really needed to move around. Combing the asphalt, he announced in triumph that he had found Speedy, a very fast lizard. In a ritual he had adopted over the past two weeks of stem-cell treatment and time in the oxygen chamber, he set out to find one more snail than he had the day before. He succeeded. Success of a different sort, his parents hope, will come from the treatment. Doctors at Mission Viejos Personalized Regenerative Medicine clinic took stem cells from Andrews bone marrow, and injected them into his veins in hopes that the new cells would help his body mend. Already, parents Drew and Kellie Burkhart say, Andrews speech and mobility are improving more than they did with the traditional speech, occupational and physical therapies the family … Continue reading →

OTTAWA A former ParaTranspo driver who raped a passenger with cerebral palsy and a developmental disability on the floor of his bus was sentenced to four years behind bars Tuesday. Judge Ann Alder said a substantial penitentiary sentence is required to express society's "shock and disgust" at the breach of the vulnerable victim's trust. Victor Fuentes, 54, pleaded guilty earlier this month to sexual assault for the attack in May 2011, after his DNA was found on the 26-year-old woman's underwear. The woman who was using a wheelchair was aboard the bus when Fuentes pulled over on the side of Prince of Wales Dr. He told her he'd liked her for a long time, had her lie down on the floor, pulled down her pants, groped her, stuck his tongue in her mouth and raped her. The defence sought between 18 months and two years less a day in a provincial jail that offers psychiatric treatment. Fuentes' lawyer said he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder from being tortured behind bars in his native El Salvador. Alder said she would have given him more than four years the Crown's position if it wasn't for Fuentes' remorse, guilty plea and willingness to … Continue reading →

MANILA, Philippines QUESTION: My son was recently diagnosed with cerebral palsy. What are the necessary steps that we as parents should do? Is there a special school or center particularly for children with cerebral palsy patients? Please help. Joy Now that your son has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP), a journey begins for you, your special child and the entire family. There will be challenges but it can be overcome. Failures, disappointments, successes and victory will come your way. CP is an injury to the brain that affects the body. Its non-life-threatening and is not going to get worse. While the brain damage that caused CP is not progressive, secondary conditions such as difficulty eating, bladder/bowel problems, seizures, and learning disabilities may develop. These associative conditions can get better, or get worse, over time. CP is a neurological condition which causes physical impairment involving limitation or loss of function and mobility, difficulty in muscle coordination, muscle control, muscle tone, reflexes, balance or posture. They may have difficulty with fine or gross motor skills. Their facial muscles may be affected. GOALS FOR THE CHILD Terri Mauro, (About.com Guide), in her article First Five Things to Do After Your Child Is … Continue reading →

A LITTLE boys dream of walking unaided has hit a setback after he developed a problem with his hips. Cerebral Palsy sufferer Ben Elliott went all the way to America, where specialist surgeons carried out a 40,000 miracle op to help him walk, and he has since come on leaps and bounds. But doctors have now detected hip dysplasia in the brave six-year-olds legs hairline fractures which are hampering his progress meaning he will need further surgery. His devoted mum Julie Elliott and her partner Nigel Oxman, both 38, of Killingworth, North Tyneside, are now busy raising the 10,000 needed to fund the extra treatment, and will next month hold a fundraising boxing night. Before he has the latest round of surgery, Ben has the best carer and physio in the business to help him on his road to recovery his Shetland pony Trigger. Tiny Trigger was Julie and Nigels Christmas present to Ben, and they have forged a touching, strong bond over the last eight months that has seen the pony become much more than just a pet. Through riding Trigger, the Westmoor Primary School pupil is developing much better upper body strength, balance, and leg muscles. Since his … Continue reading →

A LITTLE boys dream of walking unaided has hit a setback after he developed a problem with his hips. Cerebral Palsy sufferer Ben Elliott went all the way to America, where specialist surgeons carried out a 40,000 miracle op to help him walk, and he has since come on leaps and bounds. But doctors have now detected hip dysplasia in the brave six-year-olds legs hairline fractures which are hampering his progress meaning he will need further surgery. His devoted mum Julie Elliott and her partner Nigel Oxman, both 38, of Killingworth, North Tyneside, are now busy raising the 10,000 needed to fund the extra treatment, and will next month hold a fundraising boxing night. Before he has the latest round of surgery, Ben has the best carer and physio in the business to help him on his road to recovery his Shetland pony Trigger. Tiny Trigger was Julie and Nigels Christmas present to Ben, and they have forged a touching, strong bond over the last eight months that has seen the pony become much more than just a pet. Through riding Trigger, the Westmoor Primary School pupil is developing much better upper body strength, balance, and leg muscles. Since his … Continue reading →

REECE CAMERON was diagnosed with diplegic cerebral palsy, which affects his walking and balance, when he was 18 months old. A BOY of nine is hoping for a life-changing operation that could finally let him play football with his pals. Reece Cameron was diagnosed with diplegic cerebral palsy, which affects his walking and balance, when he was 18 months old. At the moment, Reece, of Kennoway, Fife, has to use splints or a wheelchair to get around. But his family are waiting to hear if the NHS will pay for an operation at a specialist hospital in Bristol to destroy defective nerves in his spine and transform his mobility. Mum Jillian said: It is exciting, but also quite worrying, to wait to find out whether the NHS will help fund his operation. He is a very determined boy and he would just love to be active like his friends that is his dream. He would absolutely love to play football with them. Originally posted here: Brave Fifer Reece, 9, hoping NHS will pay for life-changing op … Continue reading →

Aug. 2, 2012, 11:46 a.m. DANIEL Fairclowgh has never let cerebral palsy stop him doing what he loves and is encouraging those with the condition to do the same and never give up. National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week, from July 30 to August 5, is an opportunity for the strength and needs of people like Daniel to be put in the spotlight. Daniel was born with the physical condition which affects the movement on the left-hand side of his body. Having the condition causes the Falcon Primary School student to experience weakness, stiffness and sometimes involuntary movements which can often cause tightness and pain in his left arm. Daniels mum Sandra Lavender said she first noticed something was wrong when he was four months old and his left hand seemed to be clenched. At six months Daniel was diagnosed with dystonic hemiplegia which is the most common form of cerebral palsy affecting more than one million children under 21 worldwide. For most people with cerebral palsy the cause is unknown but Ms Lavender said it can be caused by lack of oxygen to the baby's brain before or during pregnancy. According to the Cerebral Palsy Alliance the most common cause … Continue reading →