All articles tagged with #cerebral palsy
Born with no heartbeat for 22 minutes and diagnosed with ataxic cerebral palsy, 18-year-old Dylan Law has fought tremors and mobility challenges; after a 2022 deep brain stimulation procedure, he suffered a stroke that temporarily impaired speech and walking, but with therapy and support he regained both and now pursues his goal of becoming a youth pastor, earning praise as a comeback kid.
Six-week-old Lexi Frederick suffered a stroke that led to cerebral palsy and epilepsy; now 16, she uses pageants and public speaking to raise awareness about pediatric strokes, showing that strokes can affect children and urging society to support and include affected kids.
Lexi Frederick, who suffered a stroke at six weeks old and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, has become a public advocate at 16, using pageants and speeches to raise awareness about pediatric strokes and their causes, which affect about 1 in 4,000 newborns and 2,000 older children each year.
Seven-year-old Asger from Stroud with cerebral palsy became the UK's first person to trial a home-based powered exoskeleton (the Agilik orthosis by Bionic Power) costing around £72,000; his family paid £600 for a one-week trial, and the device enabled him to walk to school with greater independence, highlighting life-changing potential as well as ongoing affordability and maintenance challenges and the need for broader NHS support.
Arden Grim, a Duluth native with cerebral palsy, overcame early diagnosis and received life-changing therapy as a child. Now a senior at Smith College, she returned to the research clinic that helped her as a child to study therapy outcomes and aims to become a pediatric neurologist to support children with similar conditions.
A professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation argues that cerebral palsy should be redefined as "the most common lifelong physical disability" rather than a childhood disorder, to improve care for adults with the condition. This reframing aims to address the lack of data and resources for adults with cerebral palsy, who face increased risks of various health complications. The current focus on pediatric care has led to misconceptions and inadequate adult care, prompting calls for new research and standards to better support adults living with cerebral palsy.
A Canadian-led study using whole-genome sequencing has identified genetic variants associated with cerebral palsy (CP) in children, shedding light on the condition's genetic contributors. The research found that over 10% of children with CP had a genetic variant linked to their condition, with many variants overlapping with other neurodevelopmental conditions. The data, now available for research, aims to improve understanding of CP's genetic and environmental risk factors, potentially leading to individualized treatment approaches.
Doctors in Lebanon removed a rare vagina stone the size of an orange from a 27-year-old woman with cerebral palsy. The stone, formed by stagnant urine in the vagina, caused urinary incontinence and led to symptoms such as stomach pain, fever, and vomiting. The woman underwent a three-hour procedure involving laser therapy and forceps to remove the stone. The case study highlights the need for routine gynecologic examinations and X-rays for individuals with cerebral palsy who are at a higher risk of developing vaginal stones.
Doctors have discovered an extremely rare case of a 27-year-old woman with a large "vagina stone" in her pelvic area. The stone, caused by stagnant urine and untreated bacterial infection, was pressing against her bladder and causing severe abdominal pain. Using laser therapy, the stone was fragmented and removed during a three-hour procedure. Cerebral palsy, a condition the woman had, often leads to urinary incontinence and increases the risk of developing vagina stones.
MIT engineers have developed a method that uses computer vision and machine learning to remotely evaluate the motor function of patients, specifically targeting those with cerebral palsy. By analyzing videos of patients in real-time and detecting patterns of poses, the method can assign a clinical score of motor function. The researchers tested the method on over 1,000 children with cerebral palsy and found that it matched with over 70% accuracy what a clinician had determined during an in-person visit. The team envisions that patients can use their mobile devices to record videos of themselves at home, which can then be analyzed and sent to a doctor for review. The method is also being adapted to evaluate other neurological disorders.
Vance Walker, an 18-year-old born with cerebral palsy, defied doctors' predictions and became the third contestant in the history of "American Ninja Warrior" to win the $1 million cash prize. Walker's victory is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, as he trained relentlessly to overcome his physical challenges. His triumph serves as an inspiration to others facing adversity, and he plans to continue competing on the show in the future.
Vige Barrie, who has mild cerebral palsy, fell and injured herself on her way to an important meeting in Washington, D.C. Two strangers named Kevin and Mary came to her aid, rushing her into a building, cleaning her up, and making her presentable for the meeting. Their kindness and support left a lasting impression on Barrie.
Nicole Dib refused to give up on her son Jibreel, who was born four months premature and weighed just 1.8 pounds. Despite being given the option five times to turn off his life support, Jibreel miraculously survived and is now a healthy four-year-old with cerebral palsy. Nicole hopes to inspire other parents with critically ill babies to never lose hope and to seek support from networks and resources available.
Beckham Hughes, a boy from California, celebrated his fourth birthday after being born prematurely at just 27 weeks following a car crash in 2019. Weighing only 2 pounds at birth, Beckham had to stay in the hospital for over three months and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at six months. Despite his challenges, he has learned to sit, stand, and pull himself around with his arms. Beckham's parents share their journey on social media, raising awareness about cerebral palsy and celebrating their son's resilience.
Rick Hoyt, a famed Boston Marathon wheelchair racer who competed in the race 36 times with his father pushing his wheelchair, has died at the age of 61. Hoyt, who was born with cerebral palsy and could not use his arms or legs, inspired millions of people with disabilities to believe in themselves and accomplish extraordinary things. The father and son duo competed in their first race in the 1970s and their last together was in 2014. Dick Hoyt died in 2021.