CP Awareness Month - Gtube

March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. 
Children with CP have issues with muscle tone. Including the muscles used for swallowing. Some children have reflux. Some children can't swallow properly. Some children are at risk for aspirating. Henry has all of these issues. Unpredictible muscle tone made swallowing very hard for Henry. Sometimes he swallowed fine. Sometimes he would choke, inhale food, gag and vomit. A small sound could trigger vomiting. His reflux triggered vomiting. So, on Christmas on 2010 Henry had a Gtube placed to help keep his weight up and to act as a stop gap while we strengthen his swallowing 'skills'... It took more than a year to recover from the surgery (normally 6weeks) and he is still having gastro issues. 

We suspect that the muscle tone issues are also affecting his intestines and stomach... He may require more surgery.

CP Awareness Month

March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month;

Spastic Cerebral Palsy.

Spastic means 'stiff' - children diagnosed with spastic CP experience very tight muscle tone. Some are unable, even with Physical therapy, to relax their muscles. They require medication, and in some cases, surgery to sever muscles groups to help prevent damage to bones. 

Some children with CP also suffer with low muscle tone. An inability to support sitting, or holding up their heads.

Henry has Spastic CP. It effects all four of his limbs. He frequently goes ridged and is unable to relax. Putting him in his wheelchair, or in the car seat is sometimes painful... even with medication.

March is Cerebral Awareness Month!

March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month! 

There are many definitions and diagnosis of CP - but very few patients experience the same symptoms. Most folks understand CP as a muscle disorder - when if fact it is a disorder of the brain chiefly due to an injury! CP is a disorder of the brain - causing muscles all over the body - including organ tissue - to not function properly. Cortical Vision Impairment is also a symptom of CP. The eyes work properly - but again, the brain doesn't receive the message properly.