Sad to say , but , once upon a time , the parents of children with severe gross motor disorders including cerebral palsy , ( CP ) traumatic brain injury , and spina bifida , often felt resigned to lives of heartache , special training , and troubling diagnoses . Burdens . Sadness for the child , and for themselves .
“ Heaven ” was a word that would be whispered as a code for relief , the end of trials for the child and parents alike .
Let ’ s stop right there for a moment . I will break a rule of magazine feature writing , and get very personal for a moment . My niece had a severe case of cerebral palsy : three-month development level , her body ’ s muscles and nerves continuously turning on themselves , a victim of pain and tremors . She was predicted to live three to five years , but lived into her 20s .
Her mother , my sister , never spoke of a burden , however . Neither did other friends and relatives and all who met
Liza . Somehow – in ways that people who are not parents or close relatives seldom understand – these special needs children with neurological disorders become blessings . Their reactions , their smiles , their victories over challenges , their sweet vulnerability , outweigh any of life ’ s surprises accompanying these diagnoses .
How often do parents or family members say that they have come to cherish their “ situations .” My sister did . I did . Are there regrets for the child ’ s discomfort and pain ? Of course .
But “ heaven ”? Loving care , better treatment and healthcare advances have changed peoples ’ perspectives .
And ( to finish my personal aspect in this story ) there is a piece of heaven for those who have CP , spina bifida , etc ., right here in Michigan . An astonishing center that welcomes patients from near and far , and their families , helps with assistance and lodging if needed , and is clean , spacious and well-staffed . It is stocked with startling new and innovative equipment and approaches to therapy .
That place is called Euro-Peds ( Euro because many of the innovations were pioneered in Europe , and Peds for pediatric , although people in their 20s and 30s are cared for too ) and it is located in a shiny new building in Pontiac .
It is hard to prioritize a list of favorable impressions . The spaciousness extends to rooms that in most facilities would be “ community rooms .” But every patient has one of these large rooms to him or herself ; cheery , colorfully decorated walls and large windows ; and smiles – the children smile , the physical therapists ( PTs ) and their assistants ( PTAs ) and volunteers are encouraging and smiling … and so are the parents .
Parents are often present during the therapy , which is part of the philosophy of care at Euro-Peds – intensive sessions and periods of care , followed by rest and assessment before resuming .
More tangible representatives of Euro-Peds ’ philosophy of care are the unusual devices and equipment you spot around the rooms . Innovation on display – we will visit these miracle devices , many of European design , or modified from breakthrough approaches in Europe ’ s clinics .
These European approaches ( many designed in Poland ) seem – on first look , but especially to someone who has seen the traditional braces and weights for , say , CP kids , so familiar in the United States – they seem so different … but so logical . You can get an idea from descriptions of typical sessions , as appropriate , as outlined by the welcoming staff at Euro-Peds :
• Preparation Phase – Generally , the first part of treatment is a preparation period . This can consist of warming up the muscles through hot packs and massage followed by stretching and strengthening the muscles so that they are ready for the second part of therapy . For children who do not have tight muscles , more stimulatory techniques and activities are performed during the preparation phase .
Euro-Peds ( Euro because many of the innovations were pioneered in Europe ; and Peds – “ Peeds , for Pediatric , although people their 20s and 30s are cared for too )
• Moist Hot-Packs – 10-15 minutes of application to areas of tight musculature .
• Therapeutic Massage – 15-20 minutes to prepare muscles for stretching and strengthening .
• Manual Therapy – Consists of soft tissue and / or joint mobilizations to increase range of motion and prepare the body for movement / exercise .
• Stretching and Range of Motion – 30- 60 minutes of stretching , passive range of motion , active-assisted range of motion , active range of motion and / or resisted range of motion to prepare for strengthening and functional activities .
• Strengthening Exercises – Focus on weak muscle groups , often utilizes the Universal Exercise Unit ( UEU ), nicknamed “ the cage ” – an ingenious three-walled mesh unit that allows for bungee cords ( layman ’ s term ) to be placed in countless
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