Category Archives: Cerebral Palsy Treatment

On New Year's Eve 2015, Bethan Germon was told her two-month-old daughter had only hours to live. Fourteen months and "numerous miracles" later, little Lydia is still here. However, Bethan, from Swansea, has had to deflect countless unkind comments about her daughter, and has had to push on despite being told to "give up" on Lydia on several occasions. Lydia has hydrocephalus, for which there is no known cure. Something which is especially painful for the family is that this Lydia's condition might have been avoided all together. "People presume you are born with hydrocephalus when in fact you can develop it at any time," the mum-of-two explains. Lydia was born with a complex condition called Dandy-Walker syndrome, which is a congenital brain malformation involving the area at the back of the brain that controls movement and the fluid filled spaces around it. Other than that, however, Bethan points out she was "born healthy." When she was a week old, she was sent for neurosurgery in Cardiff, which marked the start of Lydia's deteoriation. Bethan continues: "The neurosurgery wasn't the right one for her and caused hydrocephalus, which is water on the brain. "Her head leaked cerebral spinal fluid for … Continue reading →

Botox, a neurotoxin used for years to help soften fine lines and wrinkles, is now being used to help migraine headache sufferers and stroke and cerebral palsy patients. It relaxes the muscles and interferes with neurofibers, preventing them from being stimulated, explains Dr. Debra Keith, a physician and owner of Weston Family Clinic and Medical Spa. In 2010, the Food and Drug Administration approved Botox as a treatment for migraines. Botox also hasoffered relief to people suffering from excessive perspiration. Dr. Keith is a trained injector of the drug for both migraine treatment and cosmetic use. To help reduce a patients migraines, 31 sites around the head are injected with Botox significantly more than the number of sites used to relax facial wrinkles, Dr. Keith says. The injections take approximately seven to 10 minutes to complete. The statistics tell us that people start seeing the benefits in about three months, she says. Initially, neurologists were the first providers to offer the therapeutic migraine treatment, but this meant long waits for patients to get relief, Dr. Keith explains. Now, many more family-practice physicians are receiving the training to inject Botox for migraine sufferers. Dr. Keith has a patient with severe migraines … Continue reading →

Updated March 01, 2017 15:11:30 A group of 29 critically ill children have been chosen as the first patients to legally access medicinal cannabis in Victoria. The Andrews Government purchased the cannabidiol liquid from Canada after changes to federal laws last year. The children all have severe intractable epilepsy and have multiple daily seizures. Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy said the children were nominated by paediatric neurologists to receive the treatment and then assessed by a clinical panel. "We know this medicine can dramatically change the quality of life for some of Victoria's very sick kids," she said. "This means families will no longer have to make the heartbreaking choice between breaking the law or watching their kids suffer." Ms Hennessy said the cost to the Government over a 12-month period would be about $1 million. "We know this medicine can dramatically change the quality of life for some of Victoria's very sick kids," she said. "This means families will no longer have to make the heart-breaking choice between breaking the law or watching their kids suffer." Melbourne mother Ally Tregent said her five-year-old daughter Gemma, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, began the treatment last week. "The last year … Continue reading →

Niamh and Shane Farrell from KIlleeneen, Craughwell, Co Galway pictured with their solicitor, Roger Murray (Right of pic) leaving the Four Courts. Photograph: Collins Courts The Health Service Executive (HSE) has apologised to a six year old girl with cerebral palsy over failings in her care after her birth at University College Hospital, Galway . Sadhbh Farrell will also receive an interim payment of 2.66m under a settlement of her High Court action. Mr Justice Kevin Cross was told the baby appeared jaundiced in the days after her birth in January 2011 and that hould have triggered a simple test, which could have rectified the situation for the baby within a day. In the apology on behalf of the HSE and hospital, its general manager Chris Kane sincerely apologised and expressed deepest regrets for the failings in care provided to Sadhbh in the week following her birth on January 23rd 2011. The letter stated: We do not underestimate how difficult and traumatic this has been for you and your families and the challenges that you and your families have faced as a result of the failings in the treatment and care provided to Sadhbh.. Sadhbh, of Killeeneen, Craughwell, had, through … Continue reading →

A few times a month, Mark Zartler of Richardson, Texas commits a crime that helps his daughter who cannot help herself. Marie Saavedra, WFAA 12:07 AM. CST February 22, 2017 RICHARDSON -- A few times a month, Mark Zartler commits a crime that helps his daughter who cannot help herself. 17 years ago, Christy Zartler gave birth to twin girls. "When they came home, Keeley, her twin, came home first," said Christy. "Three days Kara followed her." From there, they began the difficult, years-long task of learning how to treat Karas Cerebral Palsy and severe Autism. There are a slew of her pills on their kitchen counter. Antipsychoticsand enzymes and sleep aids. Still, few things helped fight off the worst of her symptoms. Kara is self-injurious. She often hits and punches herself in episodes that can sometimes go on for hours. "Pretty much on a daily basis we have some sort of episode," said Christy. So, when Mark found the one thing that could stop his daughter, he made a video to show the world. He posted it on his Facebook page. In it, Kara is seen punching herself at home. Mark then is able to put a mask over … Continue reading →

Wall Street Journal (subscription) For Children Who Have Suffered Strokes, a Promising New Therapy Emerges Wall Street Journal (subscription) Adam Kirton, a pediatric neurologist in Calgary, Alberta, has seen first-hand the devastating effects that strokes can have on a child's brain. Lifelong paralysis and a form of cerebral palsy can result, and treatment options are few. This is why Dr ... Read more: For Children Who Have Suffered Strokes, a Promising New Therapy Emerges - Wall Street Journal (subscription) … Continue reading →

LLANDOVERY mother of four Sarah Parry is attempting the London Marathon to raise money for the centre that has helped her children. Sarah's two youngest children, Jamie, 8, and Jacob, 2, have cerebral palsy. Last year Sarah won the Carer of the Year Award in the Carmarthen Journal for her dedication to caring for her children. Bobath children's therapy Wales is a specialist centre devoted to helping children with cerebral palsy and other neurological diseases. READ MORE: Leanne Wood told to 'moderate' her accent - so that Welsh people wouldn't 'squirm' Its team of physio, occupational and speech and language therapists focus almost exclusively on cerebral palsy, ensuring expert care and understanding. Sarah said: "I first heard about Bobath when they offered Jamie a block of therapy there, and that was when I learned about their 'better start, better future' scheme. "The aim of the scheme is to help diagnose cerebral palsy from a very young age and offers preventative treatment. Sarah Parry and son Jack "Cerebral palsy is not normally diagnosed until the child is three, but Bobath helps at-risk children by linking in normal developmental exercises with therapy. Jacob was offered intensive blocks of therapy through this scheme. … Continue reading →

Traffic on over-traveled roads in Fairborn decreased significantly since the city implemented temporary road blocks to study neighborhood traffic near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. New traffic counts for Ohio, Greene and South Streets show an overall 28 percent reduction in traffic at four traffic count locations within the neighborhood, said Pete Bales, Fairborns interim city manager. Weve seen a dramatic decrease in traffic, Bales said in a report to city council this week, noting there have not been too many grumbles from base employees who used the street as a shortcut to WPAFB Gate 1A. Our residents have been happy, weve heard from a lot of them. Under the current arrangement, which is temporary, the city used barricades to prevent left turns from the three streets to Broad Street, preventing turns to WPAFB Gate 1A. Barricades also block Broad Street left turns to the three streets. Bales said the city will continue to monitor the traffic for the remainder of the 90 day trial, which began Jan. 23. Traffic in the neighborhoods increased since the 2012 re-route of Ohio 444 off WPAFB Area A onto Kauffman Avenue, South Central Avenue, West Dayton Drive and Broad Street. The neighborhood streets were … Continue reading →

DECOD clinic offers treatment for those with developmental or acquired disabilities. Most dental care providers have minimal training in special care dentistry, often leaving them unable to address patients behavioral and physical needs. Additionally, many patients with special needs are afraid of dental procedures, and may have had past treatment while under general anesthesia. This means their fears are never assuaged, and appointments can remain challenging for both patient and dental care provider. Dr. Keturah Lowe is a second-year general practice resident in the UW School of Dentistrys Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, focusing on special care dentistry. Most of the week, she can be found at the DECOD clinic, treating patients with developmental disabilities and occasionally working with dental students. DECOD stands for Dental Education in the Care of Persons with Disabilities, and the clinic is part of the UW School of Dentistry. The DECOD clinic, which is supported in part by private donations, provides care to patients with developmental or acquired disabilities, including people with autism, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy, meaning they often need care beyond what a typical dental office provides. At my last program, most of my patients with special needs received dental treatment … Continue reading →

Cyrus Moulton Telegram & Gazette Staff @MoultonCyrus WORCESTER - Trevor Huntley doesnt speak, walks with a pronounced limp and uses only one arm because of cerebral palsy. But he hasnt let that - or anything - stop him from achieving his dream of becoming an Eagle Scout. This was and still is very important for me to get this Eagle Scout (rank) not only for my family or friends but to prove ... that I could do anything I set my mind to, said Mr. Huntley, 25, in an email interview. Its just exciting to be part of something that will be with me for the rest of my life. Mr. Huntley is a member of the Mohegan Councils Troop 37 in the Quinsigamond District, which meets weekly at Christ the King Church on Pleasant Street. He said he was first attracted to Boy Scouts in 2004 when he was 12. I really wanted to be part of some group to teach myself how to be a better person in my life, Mr. Huntley said. He and his father approached the troops Scoutmaster at the time, Bob Benoit, who said he always accepts a challenge. I said, Why not? Why … Continue reading →