Posts Tagged children
Device Helps Children with CP Find their Voice
Posted by Sean at Sokolove Law in Therapy and Treatments on June 17, 2009
A new device has been developed that helps cerebral palsy patients struggling to speak find their voice. The device is called VitalStim and it is a small electrical current that contracts facial muscles in order to strengthen them. Patients use the VitalStim device three times a week for about an hour, in combination with speech therapy. “The more we can eat and swallow and practice that movement while we’ve got those electrodes on, the better results you’ll see,” Polly Bohannon, M.S., C.C.C.-S.L.P., a speech language pathologist at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare in Tallahassee, Florida.
For Jude Countryman and his family, they have already noticed the benefits of VitalStim. Jude has cerebral palsy and during his birth his umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck, damaging nerves that control his mouth and tongue. His parents couldn’t be happier with Jude’s progress and even a little progress means everything. “I realized when he was talking at one point that something was different about his face, and I couldn’t quite figure out what it was at first, but then I realized his upper lip was moving when he was talking,” said Jude’s mother, Erin Belieu. “I was just like, ‘Wow!’” VitalStim is FDA-approved to use on kids and infants.
LikeVirtual Reality Device Improves Walking for People with CP
Posted by Sean at Sokolove Law in Current Events, Research on May 19, 2009
A new virtual reality device may prove to be an effective therapy for people with cerebral palsy. The virtual reality device, named the GaitAid Virtual Walker, can help people with cerebral palsy to improve their balance and potentially walk normally again. A virtual reality is a realistic simulation of an environment, including three-dimensional graphics, by a computer system using interactive software and hardware.
The GaitAid Virtual Walker was developed by MIT-educated Computer Science Professor Yoram Baram, PhD. The device consists of a cell-phone-size, lightweight control unit and a set of comfortable high-tech goggles that provide sensory feedback of visual images and sounds in response to the patient’s movements. The device is worn for practice-walking just 20-30 minutes a day. The GaitAid improves walking (sometimes from the first step) and “rewires” the wearer’s brain to follow a healthier walking pattern–an effect that often continues even when it isn’t being worn.
Clinical studies involving children and young adults with cerebal palsy have shown that 80% of patients experienced an improvement in stride length and walking speed after only ten minutes of walking with the GaitAid. Moreover, participants reported an improved feeling of balance and confidence in walking.
UNH Therapeutic Horse Riding Program to Remain Open While Under Review
Posted by Josh at Sokolove Law in Therapy and Treatments on May 6, 2009
At The University of New Hampshire a horse riding program that is designed to help children with disabilities like cerebral palsy, autism, and down syndrome is in danger of being shut down.
The program has been in operation for 20 years and has been self funded through fees and fundraising, but the decision recently came down to stop the program. No specific reason has been given for the stoppage of the program, but the university has said it has to do with the reshaping of the equine science program.
Luckily the program will continue to operate while it is under review and a suggestion will be made by June 1st on whether or not to continue on with the program or eradicate it from the UNH community.
A number of parents who’s children are involved in the program are devastated that such a great program which impacts children’s lives in such a positive light might be done away with.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital Performing Surgery to Help Children With Cerebral Palsy
Posted by Josh at Sokolove Law in Current Events, Research on April 15, 2009
A medical team in St. Louis is working to help children with cerebral palsy with a new surgery that can be potentially life changing for children suffering from the disease.Cerebral Palsy stiffens the muscles and makes movement difficult and painful and can make tasks that many would consider routine, like walking up and down stairs difficult.”The muscles don’t keep up with the growth of the bone, so if the bone grows, it’ll just pull on it and it can’t stretch,” physical therapist Dr. Karen Bandersypen.The St. Louis Children’s Hospital has refined a life changing surgical technique to relieve stiffness and improve mobility in children suffering from cerebral palsy. The surgery is a spinal surgery. In the procedure doctors remove vertebrae and cut nerve rootlets in order to stop spasms brought on by cerebral palsy.The operation may not be for all children that suffer from cerebral palsy but it has already helped 1800 children at a 100% success rate.
Soccer For Children With Disabilities
Posted by Josh at Sokolove Law in Education and Socialization on April 10, 2009
Soccer is the world’s most popular game. The US Youth Soccer Association is doing its part to include any child that wants to play.
The organization has developed The Outreach Program for Soccer, or TOPSoccer. It is a community based program that is designed to meet the needs of children and young adults that have physical and/or intellectual disabilities. The program does not operate with competition in mind but instead its main focus is the development and incorporation of its players.
TOPSoccer is overseen by US Youth Soccer but is run inside communities by volunteers who would like to include an often overlooked segment of children, which are those children with disabilities. The organization has recognized many of the children that take part in the TOPSoccer program already have families that are involved in soccer leagues, but unfortunately have been left on the sidelines to watch their siblings play.
The program attracts children with a wide range of disabilities, including autism, down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, any sight or hearing impairments, and traumatic brain injuries. The program is great for these kids; first and foremost it put’s them in a fun environment. Beyond that though, it also allows them to learn and grow at their own pace while giving them a sense of community, and even improves their self esteem.
Anyone can start a TOPSoccer program in their own area. No experience with disabled children is needed. If you are interested in starting a program or just trying to find one in your area, you can get more information by going to the US Youth Soccer website.
Cerebral Palsy Inc. Gets an Upgrade
Posted by Josh at Sokolove Law in Current Events, Therapy and Treatments on March 30, 2009
These days all businesses must have reliable internet access in order to operate effectively. The non profit organization in Wisconsin, Cerebral Palsy Inc. is no different. Their problem was that they simply didn’t have reliable access.
The folks at the Cerebral Palsy Center were dealing with an outdated cable system with faulty connections that allowed for major network problems. To make matters worse the center does not have it’s own IT department either, making it extremely difficult to work through any technological problems they encounter. A year ago, the organization switched their IT provider and during an evaluation of their system they were told re-wiring would be necessary. It was then that the IT provider initiated communication with Faith Technologies.
Faith Technologies is an electrical and specialty systems contractor. They were able to install the new wiring all free of charge to Cerebral Palsy Inc. Over 500 man hours, equipment, and supplies were donated by Faith Technologies to the center and now the Cerebral Palsy Center has efficient internet access and it was all done at no cost to the non profit organization.
Frank Theil, Faith Technologies local division manager, explained how they are able to perform pro bono services for non profit organizations in need, “Providing pro bono services to local nonprofit organizations allows us to keep our employees working and limit seasonal layoffs, while giving back to the communities we live and work in.”
“Everybody relies on computers for just about everything they do,” Thiel said. “While it might not be a visible need, it’s vital to their existence.”
Children with disabilities ‘as happy as classmates’
Posted by admin in Current Events on March 16, 2008
Children have the amazing ability to take whatever life throws at them with a smile on their face. Children with disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, are no different. After a study of 500 children with cerebral palsy in seven European countries, levels of satisfaction, psychological well-being, and social support were found to be just as high as those in other children.
Many people tend to feel a sense of pity towards disabled kids, but there’s no need for it. Children with disabilities don’t tend to view their lives as a struggle – it is merely different from other children’s. They are active, happy kids who have just as much excitement and enthusiasm for life as non-disabled children do.
-
ChildRC on Twitter
-
Most Popular
- 3 Ways to Educate Your Family to Help You 4 comment(s)
- How to Identify and Cope with External Stress While Parenting a Special Needs Child 3 comment(s)
- 5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Pediatrician 3 comment(s)
- 3 Benefits of Enabling Devices For Your Special Needs Child's Communication Needs 3 comment(s)
- Using In-Home Therapists For Your Special Needs Child 3 comment(s)
- Great American Bike Race Fundraiser 2 comment(s)
- Therapeutic riding 2 comment(s)
- Young Boy with Cerebral Palsy Participates in 5K Run 2 comment(s)
- Developing a Vision Statement for your Child 2 comment(s)
- Paxil: Now We Know The Risks 2 comment(s)
Welcome to the ChildRC blog - a source of information and support for the parents and families of children with birth injuries. Learn More
The Sokolove Law nurse desk is led by Kathy McGinn, R.N., B.S.N., L.N.C.C., a 25-year nursing veteran who has worked in the field of legal nurse consulting since 1990. From early on in her career, Kathy was passionate about making patient advocacy the core of her nursing practice. She has been instrumental in cultivating a strong and knowledgeable team of nurses, each with a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others.