Most know that Samantha has microcephaly, but few know or realize that she also has cerebral palsy. Yes. It's true. Samantha technically has Spastic Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy with Ataxia. This means she has high muscle tone with jerky movements, affecting all 4 limbs, and has some balance issues. Her physical and occupational therapy all address problems caused by her cerebral palsy -- which are pretty much caused by her microcephaly. (Cerebral Palsy is a term used to diagnosis a variety of symptoms dealing with mobility.)
We have been so proud of Samantha as she has made great progress, but we are also getting really excited for our plans to take her to Now I Can in Utah (In the video below, there are some clips of kids in these suits. Sammy will be doing therapy in that suit. It's had great results in kids with CP) -- hopefully late summer/early fall -- and attend an intensive physical therapy session (4 hours a day, 5 days a week, 3 weeks). Her physical therapists are encouraging us to go and we're really excited. We're working on saving up the funds (yes, I sold 2 items on eBay today thank you very much) and we're just going to make it work. We'll be sure to keep you updated.
But for now, remember it is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. Looking at Samantha, I have never seen weakness. Not once. All those kids with CP -- and kids who are not grown up into adults -- may have troubles moving or talking. They may seem weak, but they are strong.
2 comments:
oh, that sounds so awesome!
One of my best friends in elementary school has CP. She is in a wheel chair, can't walk or talk, but has a great smile and sweet spirit about her, one of the reasons she was one of my best friends. (She had an aid that stayed w/her in our 6th grade classroom& even went to outdoor school with us!)
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