The Story of Jacob: Early Intervention OT

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Early Intervention OT

Jacob is "commando crawling" in this clip.
Before constraint therapy, he would tolerate
being on his belly for only short periods of
time and would never reach out with his
right hand to pull himself forward.

3 comments:

AnonymousMarch 3, 2010 at 6:20 PM
Jacob,
Good job stretching and reaching.
Grammy
xoxo
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AnonymousMarch 5, 2010 at 12:49 PM
Jacob,

Great Job, you are crawling real good. Keep up the good work

Auntie Faye
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DawnMarch 11, 2010 at 9:45 PM
GREAT job Jacob. So wonderful to see your progress. Keep up the good work.
Thinking of you all the way from PA.
Your Aunt Kate's, Aunt Dawn.
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His Story

Jacob was diagnosed with Infantile Spasms on May 7, 2009, two days after we observed his first jacknife seizure. He was admitted to Hasbro Children's Hospital that afternoon to begin a course of treatment with ACTH. The next day, an MRI revealed the cause of the Infantile Spasms - a stroke in utero. Two-thirds of the left hemisphere of Jacob's brain was replaced by cerebrospinal fluid. We were discharged after four days and continued the ACTH treatment. After four weeks, the Infantile Spasms and hypsarrhythmia on his EEG were resolved but another seizure type emerged, complex partial epilepsy and myoclonic seizures.

Jacob was also diagnosed with right hemiparesis, a slight paralysis of the right side of his body. He made great strides walking independently but had limited functional use of his right hand. In February 2010, Jacob participated in the Constraint Therapy Program through Hasbro Children's Rehabilitation Center and participated again in August. The program involved intensive therapy with his right arm and hand. Jacob also received physical and occupational therapy and speech therapy through his Early Intervention Provider.

On December 22, 2010, Jacob underwent a left functional hemispherectomy, disconnecting the left hemisphere of his brain from the right hemisphere. Our hope was that he would be seizure-free and off of his anti-seizure medication.

Jacob did not have another seizure following his surgery and within nine months, he was weaned off of his anti-seizure medication.

Although early detection, aggressive treatment, intensive therapy, and self-advocacy have been essential to Jacob's rehabilitation, Jacob is blessed. He is an amazing surprise.

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Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Early Intervention OT

3 comments: