May 28, 2007
Unique Way To Play Music and Communicate for Special Needs Children
Rapid advancement of technology has been opening more and more doors for people and children with disabilities. In this article from Discovery News website we learn of another new type of computerized instrument you play with your nose!
Nose Can Play Music on New Instrument
Tracy Staedter, Discovery News
May 29, 2007 — A computerized instrument that allows people to play music with the tip of their nose could give those who suffer from physical disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, the chance to experience music’s positive effects.
Not only could the interface allow for musical communication, it could also be adapted for speech, giving physically challenged patients the ability to form full sentences, rather than just providing yes or no responses.
“This instrument will give a voice to those who are all too often ignored, due to their physical disability,” said Zane Van Dusen, a recent graduate of computer science and electronic media arts and communications at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY.
Van Dusen developed the interface with Pauline Oliveros, a musician and distinguished professor of the arts at Rensselaer.
May 27, 2007
Causes of Cerebral Palsy: Link Between Cerebral Palsy and Herpes Virus
South Australian research which found a link between cerebral palsy and exposure to herpes viruses has been recognised as among the most significant of the past year by an international panel of neuroscientists.
Work by the South Australian Cerebral Palsy Research Group, a joint initiative of the University of Adelaide and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, is included in the latest progress report of the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, which highlights the top findings in brain research.
The research, which was earlier published in the British Medical Journal, supports the theory that exposure to certain viral infections shortly before and after birth can trigger brain damage and the development of cerebral palsy.
The study involved 443 children with cerebral palsy and 883 control babies born to Caucasian mothers between 1986 and 1999. Small dried blood samples taken within a few days of birth were used to test for the presence of neurotropic viruses, a group of viruses including the herpes virus, which can all cross the placenta and infect the fetus.
Exposure to viral infection was common in all newborn babies, especially in preterm babies, implying that infection before birth may also be linked to preterm delivery. Herpes group B viruses were found more often in babies who were later diagnosed with cerebral palsy than in control babies. In fact, the risk of cerebral palsy was nearly doubled with exposure to herpes group B viruses.
“This is the first study to positively link viral exposure during pregnancy with cerebral palsy,” Dr Gibson said. “However, only a few of the fetuses that were exposed developed CP, and this suggests that some are more genetically susceptible. We are investigating this.” Further studies also are investigating the possible causes of the link.
If you think your baby was exposed to herpes virus and developed cerebral palsy please contact 4MyChild Care Specialists for help. Read more about the causes of cerebral palsy in children.
May 24, 2007
Special Needs and Cerebral Palsy: Using A Creepster Crawler to Help with Crawling
Many physiotherapists will suggest using an aid to help a young child with cerebral palsy or other conditions that impair head control in learning to crawl. Products like the Creepster Crawler help children without head control, or who can’t roll over or crawl, to develop mobility. A device like this comes with a hefty price tag, over $500.00.
Items like these are much sought after in the second hand market. Many moms will sell their used ones or even donate. If you have any gently used adaptive equipment or are looking for adaptive equipment for you special needs child, such as the Creepster Crawler- please post in our Buy, Sell and Trade Equipment Classifieds
If you have a child with cerebral palsy and you are not sure of you are eligible for Benefits for Life or want to see if you can get your adaptive equipment for free, please contact one of our Care Specialists. They can answer questions and concerns you may have.
Find more help with adaptive equipment for children with cerebral palsy.
May 22, 2007
Yoga for Children with Cerebral Palsy: “Yoga for the Special Child”
I came across this book, Yoga for the Special Child also available at Amazon.com website.
It is a therapeutic yoga program for special needs kids, including those with cerebral palsy, Microcephaly and Autism.
Lots of gentle FUN exercised for children with special needs.
From their website,
Yoga for the Special Child is a comprehensive program of Yoga techniques designed to enhance the natural development of children with special needs. Our style of Yoga is gentle and therapeutic — safe for babies and children with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Microcephaly, Autism and other developmental disabilities. These methods also provide an effective treatment for children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, ADHD and Learning Disabilities.
Yoga can not only help with flexibility but also raise self awareness and self esteem. If you are able, borrow copy of this book or request from your local library.
Why exercise is so important for children with cerebral palsy.
May 21, 2007
Health Risks for Premature Babies
A baby is considered “full term” when born at 37 weeks. Most babies are born about 40 weeks after the first day of their mother’s last menstrual period. About one in eight babies arrives sooner, according to the March of Dimes. A birth that takes place more than three weeks before the due date is considered a premature birth.
A baby born prematurely has had less of a chance to develop and mature inside its mother’s womb. When a baby is born prematurely the result is an increased risk of medical and developmental problems which may include underdeveloped lungs. If you go into labor too early, your doctor may try to delay your baby’s birth. Even a few extra days in the womb can promote significant development.
Nearly half of extremely premature babies (under 26 weeks) who survive develop a disability or learning difficulty.
Another third will have mild impairments, such as problems with eyesight and the need to wear glasses by age 6.
According to the New England Journal of Medicine, 22% of babies born under 26 weeks have severe disabilities such as cerebral palsy, blindness or profound deafness, and a further 24% had moderate disability, such as special learning needs.
Boys also have higher risk of disability than girls- more than a third of extremely premature boys had moderate to severe disabilities - 2.4 times more than the number of girls.
Did you have a baby prematurely? Did you have a high risk pregnancy? Were their complications during your baby’s delivery? Read more about premature birth and cerebral palsy.
Are you concerned about the health risk that may be facing your child? Contact 4MyChild Live CareCenter Specialists for help and support.
May 19, 2007
Boy with Cerebral Palsy Becomes Eagle Scout!
A Scout’s story: ‘It’s like being on top of a mountain’
Bethlehem teen conquers challenges of cerebral palsy to earn Boy Scouting’s highest honor.
By Michael Duck Of The Morning Call
Blake Tange’s eyes flashed as he told stories about setting up tents in the middle of the night and sliding down snowy trails with his fellow Boy Scouts — all part of the challenge of Scouting, but an even bigger test for the Bethlehem 17-year-old in Troop 362.
Tange was born with a cyst filling half his brain cavity, leaving him with cerebral palsy and other medical conditions that make standing and walking difficult. But those challenges couldn’t stop him from hiking, camping and knot-tying his way to a ceremony today where he’ll be awarded the rank of Eagle Scout, an honor achieved by only 5 percent of Boy Scouts nationwide.
THE TRAIL TO EAGLE- Accomplishments by Blake Tange, 17-year-old Boy Scout from Bethlehem with cerebral palsy, that helped him reach the rank of Eagle Scout:
Service: Led a team of 25 volunteers to create a wheelchair-accessible nature trail at a center for special-needs children.
Leadership: Served as senior patrol leader (top youth leader in troop), quartermaster (in charge of troop camping equipment) and junior assistant Scoutmaster (assists adult leaders), among other positions.
Skills: Earned 55 merit badges in subjects including camping, first aid, orienteering, personal fitness, wilderness survival and wood carving. (Twenty-one badges are required to reach Eagle Scout.)
Source: Morning Call staff
Related PhotosBlake Tange
(Michael Kubel/The Morning Call) Lehigh Valley Local Links
”I’ve wanted to do this since I was in first grade,” Tange said, beaming. ”It’s like being on top of a mountain.”
To read entire article please visit: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_4scout.5844060may12,0,604731.story?coll=all-news-he, or read more inspirational stories about people with cerebral palsy.
Embracing Disabilities and Breaking Barriers: China’s National Day for the Disabled
Fresno athletic team breaks barriers in China By Vanessa Colón / The Fresno Bee
An athletic team from Fresno flew to China on Thursday to perform a blend of gymnastics, karate kicks, and dance moves with wheelchairs during China’s National Day for the Disabled on Sunday.
They’re performers from Break the Barriers, a Fresno-based nonprofit sports and arts center for the able and disabled. They will show off their skills in Xiamen, a coastal city in southeastern China’s Fujian province.
The 18 athletes and seven professionals will return to the United States on May 28.
The group of teenagers and adults includes members without disabilities and members who are deaf, have Down syndrome or cerebral palsy. But ask them what their disability is and they’ll respond: impatience, cockiness and attitude.
“We are all able and disabled, we have gifts and abilities to share with one another,” said Deby Hergenrader, executive director of Break the Barriers.
This is the third time Break the Barriers has traveled overseas, but the first time they’ve landed in Asia. The group has twice traveled to Romania, where they performed and met “Motivation Romania,” a wheelchair basketball organization.
May 15, 2007
Stem Cells: Revolutionary Treatment for Cerebral Palsy?
China stem cell hopes for cerebral palsy girl
A British couple are hoping to send their eight-year-old daughter to China for revolutionary treatment for cerebral palsy, they said yesterday.
Kishor Tahiliani and his wife, Priti, plan to raise £18,000 for stem cell injections that they believe will give their daughter, Vaishnavi, known as Shonia, a more normal life.
The treatment is not yet available in the UK but a hospital in China has made a breakthrough in treating cerebral palsy. The procedure involves injecting stem cells into the spinal cord fluid. The stem cells then flow directly into the brain.
The treatment at Tiantan Puhua Neurosurgical Hospital in Beijing has already helped 19-year-old Gabor Bocskai from Hungary to walk, sit up, swim, concentrate for longer, see better and speak.
Mr Tahiliani, 34, who works in hotel management, said: “This is the best treatment for her. There are cerebral palsy children who were totally blind and now they can see, that’s in Mexico.”
Read the entire article. Find out more about stem cell research and cerebral palsy.
May 12, 2007
Swimming as Cure for Cerebral Palsy?
This article from swimnews.com tells of the story of Susie Maroney, a world champion swimmer, who was born with cerebral palsy.
Maroney Beat Cerebral Palsy Through Swimming
May 11, 2007 Craig Lord
Susie Maroney, the Australian open water medallist who holds the fastest time ever for a double crossing of the English Channel, today revealed that she and her twin brother were born with cerebral palsy but fought the condition and won using swimming as their biggest medical weapon.
Now 32, Maroney told Australian reporters that she had kept the condition a secret in her youth for fear of being ridiculed.
“You’d be winning at a school swimming carnival but you’d still get picked on. So I’ve never talked about it,” says the swimmer in a widely reported magazine article.
Maroney and her twin brother Sean were taken to learn to swim by their parents when they were just six months old, specifically to help to combat the condition. Sean died when he accidentally fell from a 26th floor balcony while training for a triathlon in Hawaii in June 2002, that tragedy effectively ending Maroney’s career as a world-class long-distance swimmer.
Visit http://www.swimnews.com/News/displayStory.jhtml?id=5281 to read the entire article. Find out how swimming can help with cerebral palsy.
May 9, 2007
Best Shoes to fit over AFO’s (Ankle-Foot Orthoses)
You don’t have to spend a ton of money on expensive shoes to fit over AFO’s. Many Physical Therapist will recommend get a wide width shoe from Payless or Wal-Mart. The ankle support is there in the AFO so the shoe is the to prevent slippage and for “style” . If you have a choice- look for mesh rather than leather- the leather will stretch out but the mesh will accommodate the AFO better.
Whether you choose laces, velcro or open back is a personal choice.
You can buy specially made shoes for AFO’s- from Keeping Pace ( which are quite cute) or Hatchback Footwear http://www.hatchbacksfootwear.com/index.htm , which are known for their ease of use BUT many kids find them to be on the heavy side.
Other suggestions for a shoe that works well with AFO’s-
http://www.biteshoes.com/ : These are quite funky and trendy looking- older kids will LOVE them.
New Balance : again buy these in wide width.
Stride Rite
K-Swiss
Adidas
Have you had particular luck with a shoe that fits well over your child’s AFO? Please share !
