Eagle Rock Mom Hopes Stem Cell Infusions Give Daughter Chance At Full Life

EAGLE ROCK (CBSLA.com) An Eagle Rock mother hopes stem cell research will help give her young daughter a chance at a full life.

Grace Rosewood, 5, suffered a brain injury when she was an infant.

Desperate to find help for her daughter, Olivia Rosewood turned to umbilical cord blood, which the family had banked when Grace was born.

It set my blood on fire. I think parents know that feeling of, OhI have to get this! I have to do this! said Olivia.

More research led Olivia to Duke University Medical Center, where clinical trials were being done on patients with brain injuries using their own stem cells extracted from umbilical cord blood.

We deal with specialists, therapists, teachers. Nobody knew about this. I found out from other moms. Im really grateful, said Olivia.

The Rosewoods flew across the country and documented their journey.

So far, Grace has undergone two stem cell infusions.

She engages with people. Were still working on speech, but she seems to feel like shes speaking. Shell vocalize with intention, said Olivia.

Dr. Peter Weiss, who doesnt treat Grace, has been closely monitoring the advances of stem cell research and said promising results have already been seen in cases of hearing loss, Type 1 diabetes, autism, and spinal cord injuries.

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Eagle Rock Mom Hopes Stem Cell Infusions Give Daughter Chance At Full Life