The Story of Jacob: Sunday

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Sunday

This morning, Matthew and Jacob delivered a small bouquet of flowers to our local fire department.

This afternoon was the second week of Special Olympics Young Athletes.

5 comments:

danielleSeptember 12, 2011 at 3:03 PM
The first vid made me all weepy cause he looks SO jazzed to be there!

The last one made me crack up because I'm pretty sure he's trying to steal the javelin!

And what a beautiful idea to have the boys deliver flowers. Love.

xoxo

...danielle
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mhSeptember 15, 2011 at 2:13 PM
Love all of this!! So happy to see how well Jacob is!
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Jen (special olympics)September 20, 2011 at 6:02 PM
This is what it's all about. During a long, long journey, these moments of pure joy make it all worth while. Thanks for sharing your joy with us!
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Jacob's MommySeptember 20, 2011 at 7:53 PM
Jen - We are SO lucky and SO grateful to be a part of this:)
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Jacob's MommySeptember 20, 2011 at 7:55 PM
Mary Helene - I love that you're still watching Jacob. Hopefully we'll be able to get Jacob on a horse next!
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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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Sunday, September 11, 2011

Sunday

5 comments: