Cerebral Palsy Patient - Treatment Changed Life
Aug
18, 2000 08:45 PM
Phoenix
Article by Carey Peña
A
Valley woman who has cerebral palsy says an alternative type of
therapy has helped changed her life for the better. Amy Gustavison,
30, says she can do things now that she never thought possible -
like walk without a walker, stand up and balance in the swimming
pool and speak better than ever before. Gustavison attributes her
improvements to what’s called Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. HBO is 100
percent of oxygen at greater than surface pressure administered in
small sequential doses, one hour each, one to two times a day.
Patients receive the treatment in what looks like a chamber. HBO is
said to have helped patients who have dramatic cases of diabetic
wound healing, other patients have unexpected improvements from
strokes and brain injuries and, in the case of Gustavison, better
balance and coordination. Several other parents at the clinic talked
about dramatic improvements they have witnessed with their children,
all of whom are young and suffer from cerebral palsy.
Child with Cerebral Palsy Benefits from Hyperbaric Chambers Therapy
November 1996 I had my twin boys December 6,1996 at 28 weeks. Peter
was 1 pound 15 ounces and J J was 2 pounds 10 ounces.
By
two years old, Peter was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. At 2-1/2
years old, Peter was unable to sit unsupported, not crawling and
could only say the first syllable of words like uma' for mommy and 'Ba'
for Barney. It was at 2-1/2 years old, when we took Peter to Canada
for Hyberbaric Oxygen Treatments (HBOT). He completed his first 40
treatments there.
The
month following treatment, Peter began talking much more. He began
telling me what he wanted, like 'more juice, mommy.' He also began
singing the "ABC" song and counting to 10. Peter became more
interested in toys and books. He began holding his own sippy-cup and
began sitting with his back straighter. He began eating better and
taking in fluids much easier. We were very encouraged. We knew we
could not stop at 40 treatments.
Fortunately, we found a wonderful chamber here in Phoenix and have
just completed 40 more HBO treatments. Since these treatments, Peter
continues to improve verbally and will try to say any word you ask
him to. He now tries to pull himself to a wanted toy, which he has
never done nor has he even tried to do. He plays games with me and
is more interactive with people that he doesn't even know. His eyes
continue to get brighter and more alert.
Although he does not sit independently on the floor, he is sitting
in some chairs and can sit in a high chair, which has made eating
out as a family much easier. He has also become aware of his
movements and when he begins to fall, he has said, "Owhoa, that's
scary-O".
I am
seeing that his reasoning seems to be improving; he has begun
lifting his foot for a step when in the standing position. Peter's
general daily care has totally changed. Having him talk to me to
tell me what his needs are, has changed my perspective and makes my
work to care for his needs more fun.
Watching Peter make improvements every day has brought much joy to
me. I feel like I have finally found a therapy that, coupled with
his other therapies, has begun to make a noticeable difference.
Peter has been able to join his twin brother and older twin sisters
in some fun interactive play, which of course brings joy to them and
to me. I plan to continue to give Peter more treatments for as long
as we can financially afford them.
I
would encourage anyone with a brain injury to try HBOT.
GY,
Arizona
