Category Archives: Cerebral Palsy

It was Aaron Holzmueller's first time in the high school pool, and things didn't go as planned. Holzmueller has cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture caused by damage to the brain, most often before birth, according to the Mayo Clinic website. Seizures had been part of Holzmueller's childhood, yet when he entered the Evanston Township High School pool in early May 2013 a week before his 13th birthday, he hadn't had one in 11 years. But there was a recurrence during the practice with the feeder team. Holzmueller had a seizure underwater, and Evanston assistant swimming coach Joe Springer jumped in to save the then-seventh-grader. Holzmueller was loaded into an ambulance and rushed to the hospital. Wildkits swimming coach Kevin Auger called Holzmueller's father, Keith, who relayed the news to Holzmueller's mother, Birdy. "On the way down to Lurie, I got another call from (Springer), he wanted to check in," Birdy Holzmueller said. "He said, 'You know, I hope this doesn't keep him from coming out to swim again, because he's one of our Wildkits now.' "So here we are, I had just reassured them that he hadn't had seizures in years and years, he … Continue reading →

Emma Greenfield says one of the biggest blessings in her young life has been her disability. She was born 27 weeks premature and has used a wheelchair since the age of 5 after being diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Im not going to lie, it was challenging at times, said Greenfield, 17, who undergoes occupational and physical therapy on a weekly basis. But now that Im older, it has really become my biggest blessing, because its helped open my eyes to others and be aware of other peoples issues. The gregarious Greenfield, who said the main challenge of living with a disability is dealing with public perceptions, has strived to be the change she seeks in society by taking on an advocacy role at her alma mater in Albertson, a state-funded special-education school for severely disabled students. One of those efforts involved being a Viscardi Ambassador. About 20 ambassadors visit schools in rotating groups to show students were just like everybody else, said Greenfield, of Hicksville. Since becoming an ambassador last year, she said she has answered all types of questions, ranging from How do you take a shower? to What is your favorite food? But ambassadorship aside, Greenfield said the … Continue reading →

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) is usually only made after a doctor has carried out a range of specialised tests with a team of health professionals. These professionals may include neurologists, paediatricians, genetic specialists and a host of others. The most common symptoms of CP are slow development, abnormal muscle tone and postural abnormalities which may include low muscle tone (hypotonia) or high muscle tone (hypertonia). There is no one cause to cerebral palsy but research has shown that in most cases, about 70%, the causes can be traced to the period before birth (the prenatal period). About 20% of cerebral palsy cases occur during the birthing process (perinatally). These will include a situation where the babys brain is injured because there has been lack of oxygen during delivery. This is otherwise known as hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy. Within this 20% of cases are also babies who acquire cerebral palsy as a result of being delivered prematurely. The further 10% of cases are post-birth and can arise from traumatic injury or infections during the early years of life. Examples of this cause would be bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis. Unfortunately, in many cases the cause of a particular childs cerebral … Continue reading →

An evening of tropical drinks and games can help children with neuromuscular disorders develop and grow, promoters say. A Night in the Tropics, benefiting the Kelly B. Todd Cerebral Palsy and Neuro-muscular Center, will be 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Muskogee Civic Center. Tickets are $50. Event chairwoman Kim Winston said people areencouraged to dress casually. "Most people wear shorts and flip-flops," she said. "We have a wonderful tropical dinner. Cowboys Bar-B-Q and Grill is preparing a roasted pig." Festivities include pay-to-play games, such as a wine spin. "For $20 chances, you get to spin a wheel for a bottle of wine," Winston said. "It may land on an ordinary wine, or it may land on a very good wine." Winston compared the Heads or Tails coin toss to an adult musical chairs. She said participants grab their heads or their buttocks. A coin is flipped, heads or tails. "If you win, you keep standing," Winston said. "You just stand there grabbing body parts until one person is left." The gala will feature live and silent auctions. Live auction items include a tour of The Pioneer Woman Mercantile, operated by Oklahoma TV chef Ree Drummond. People also may bid on … Continue reading →

HILLIARD, Ohio Justin Martin, 21, is in many respects a typical junior at Kenyon College. He lives in an off-campus apartment, which he shares with six other guys. Hes majoring in English, helps run a student improv group, and last semester he took five courses instead of the usual four a terrible idea, he now concedes. Sometimes he pulls all-nighters to write papers or study for exams, drawing sustenance from soda and chocolate-covered almonds. And sometimes he stays up late just to have long arguments with his roommates like over whether its OK to ban campus speeches by white supremacists (Martin says no) or whether the seventh Harry Potter novel was the worst (Martin says yes). But in one respect, Martin is unique on the Kenyon campus and rare among college students in general. He has cerebral palsy, the disease that severely impairs muscle movement. Martin cannot walk or care for himself without assistance. His life in college getting to room with his fellow students, carrying a more-than-full course load is a testimony to many things, including supportive administrators and his own stubborn determination. But, Martin says, none of this would be possible if it wasnt for the help of … Continue reading →

A disabled girl has taken her first independent steps wearing revolutionary shoes made by a small company in Sydneys west. Eve Darcy was diagnosed with cerebral palsy whenshe was just weeks old, and could only take small steps aided by a walking frame. Big or small, everyday activities were a milestone- until she found Magic Shoes, created by a start-up AbilityMate. She was in daycare on Wednesday, she walked in with her frame, she didn't go Thursday, and she walked in on her own on Friday. It happened so fast, she just took off, Eves dad, Joe Darcy, told 9NEWS. A pair of AbilityMate's Magic Shoes. (9NEWS) Magic Shoes use 3D printing technology to create tailored orthotics in a fraction of the time. Measurements of the childs foot are taken using scanners, which are sent off to a 3D printer. Magic Shoes are then manufactured at a factory in Guildford and can be fitted in less than two months. The fast turn-around is of huge benefit for sufferers of cerebral palsy, who often have to wait a year for a pair of properly fitted shoes. To be using state of the art technology, to be creating much faster, much cheaper, … Continue reading →

WOODTV.com Spectrum Health shares information and education about Cerebral Palsy WOODTV.com GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)- The brain is a fascinating part of the body. Sometimes, the brain can suffer from a serious injury that causes physical or mental impairment. eightWest sat down to talk about Cerebral Palsy, a condition that affects patients ... Go here to read the rest: Spectrum Health shares information and education about Cerebral Palsy - WOODTV.com … Continue reading →

However, one of his subscribers spotted the video and immediately posted his story on Reddit, where the online community banded together to blow his request for help out of the water. His GoFundMe page has been set alight with donations, reaching US$46,153 ($63,000) in a matter of days after his video was posted on Reddit. As well as the huge financial outpouring, other Redditors offered their help in getting him the repairs he required on his transport van, and set about buying him a new wheelchair. Others who owned businesses offered him freebies, with multiple offers coming in of complementary food and services. Mr Breitenbach's sister Desiree Johnson-Herzner said the family was "blown away" and "overjoyed" by the response to her brother's pleas. "Never did I ever in my wildest dreams think my friends, family and complete strangers would come together and help my brother. We are so grateful for each and every one of you," she said. "You have touched our lives and help my brother get a safe reliable vehicle and your generosity continues still, even though we've reached our goal and we are way beyond what we thought we would get. "Thank all of you for restoring … Continue reading →

More than 200,000 cases of cerebral palsy (CP), a condition caused by brain damage before or during birth, are diagnosed each year, usually in small children. Most people with CP will eventually lose the use of their limbs and become wheelchair bound since the part of the brain that has been damaged affects movement, posture and balance. Kelsey Applegate of Lebanon was diagnosed with CP when she was 2 years old. Since that time, Applegate has tried a variety of leg braces and even Botox treatments, none of which helped her long term. After a physical therapist told her to get a wheelchair a few years ago, Applegate refused to give in and lose all her independence. Today, she has defied the odds and, through hard work and effort, has managed to build up strength in her legs and body. My therapist and my doctor urged me to get a wheelchair, Applegate said. I also had braces and crutches. Applegate and her mom did some research and felt encouraged when they learned that a personal fitness trainer might be able to help. My mom went into Anytime Fitness to see if anyone there could help me, Applegate said. She met … Continue reading →

Gritty Mumbai teen diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that restricts movement, bagged 88% in the Maharashtra Boards (MSBSHSE) Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Class 10 results, announced on Tuesday. Whats more, she recently climbed 3, 500 steps (one way) 99 times in 40 days - a rare feat - during a festival celebrated by the Jain community. Drashti Dhruv, 16, has been living with cerebral palsy since birth. She cannot hold a pen or write straight as her hand trembles violently. Her condition, however, has never stopped her from pushing harder to achieve goals - and clearing the SSC or Class 10 exam was a major one. I am happy with my marks, it was more than I expected, said Dhruv, a student of Swami Vivekananda International School, Kandivli. The board allowed me to take help from a writer during exams. I feel good to have challenged myself. Shes very disciplined with studies, and for the Class 10 boards she recorded her lessons on a mobile phone and revised them at leisure. In the last two months before the exam, Drashti burnt the midnight oil, said her father. She was confident that her hard work will pay off and … Continue reading →