REASON FOR TREATMENT
Before he turned one, Derek's development was progressing fairly normal.
After Derek turned one, he had suddenly stopped walking and talking. The reason for this change was unknown and according to Derek's neurologist, there was no conclusive evidence of an injury at the time.
Derek's first diagnosis was cerebral palsy, and later he was additionally diagnosed as suffering form non-verbal autism.
Four years later, when Derek was 5 years of age, Derek also developed seizures.
Looking for treatment options offered outside their native USA, Derek's parents decided to try stem cell treatment in Beijing Puhua International Hospital.
CONDITION BEFORE TREATMENT
Upon admission, Derek was confined to a wheelchair and did not use his legs. He did not speak and was able to pronounce only a few single syllables. Derek could not communicate with others and suffered from sporadic seizures.
Derek was uncooperative during examination at the hospital and the only way he communicated with others was by pointing to express his basic needs.
Derek had no response to pain stimulation in his legs, and his hands and torso movements were clumsy.
METHOD OF TREATMENT
Stem cell implantations, Daily IV of medicines, neural nutrition and protection as well as Physical and Occupational Therapy sessions, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture
CONDITION AFTER TREATMENT
After completing stem cell treatment, Derek was able to cooperate with the rehabilitation therapist to do exercises more initiatively.
It is easier now for Derek to control his neck and trunk. He can sit with his back straight for a relatively long period of time and keep his head, neck and trunk more steady while lifting his arms up.
Derek's mother, Brenda told us that Derek had occasionally said the word mama, for the first time since he has turned one.
Brenda was extremely excited with the improvements Derek has gained while in treatment and was eager to see further improvements with their return home.
Update from Brenda Grabast, made on October 12th, 2011
"Derek has said momma 2 more times! And, he will stand for short periods of time with minimal assistance. His fine motor skills are improving, and for the first time in several years, he picked up a pen, and wrote his name. Everything is getting better!! i can't wait to wake up and see what he will do next!! Thank you!"
Update from Brenda Grabast, received on November 12th, 2011
"Hopefully this finds you well! I just wanted to update you on Derek's progress. We had his baclofen pump lowered last week, and he seems to be handling it well. We will revisit with the neurologist in 3 months, and possibly lower it again then.
The biggest thing that has happened in the past couple of weeks, is his standing/walking. He now stands for almost 3 minutes, with the help of his walker. His legs don't give out, and his posture while standing is improving!
Then, yesterday at school, we had another great thing happen.
When they change his diaper, his lays on a short table. They then let him wiggle his legs over the side, and his feet can touch the floor. He will sit up, and get ready to move to his wheelchair. He usually will stand up - with help, and then shuffle his feet to turn and get into his wheelchair.
But yesterday, his assistant asked if he wanted to walk to his wheelchair. He really, really tried, and took a couple of steps. Then, he took 3 more. A total of 5 steps (with his assistant for balance). She said she could tell he really wanted to keep going, but his legs were getting tired. But 5 steps!!! He is doing great!
Hopefully there is more to come!!"
Update from Brenda Grabast, received on May 7th, 2012
"His leg control has improved so much! He walks, with his walker, almost every day. The farthest he has made it is almost 7 meters! He will stand, all by himself, for almost 20 minutes. We continue to see improvement all the time. His hands work better for him. His sign language is so much easier for him, and we can understand him better now. His speech is sporadic. He has said a few more words, but nothing consistant. He is working so hard at basic sounds, but sometimes he says words as clear as I do. Also, he has not had a seizure since right before we came to China. That is over 9 months without a seizure now!! He has never gone this long without one. An EEG confirmed that there is still seizure activity in his brain, but there is less activity than at the time of his last EEG."
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