PERIOD OF TREATMENT: 2007 June 2nd -- Sept 27th

CONDITION BEFORE THE TREATMENT:

See Videos:before1, beforeOT

8 year old Shonia Tahiliani, was born with Cerebral Palsy.  She is quadriplegic, suffers from epilepsy and delayed physical and cognitive development. She cannot walk or speak, she can make few simple sounds and she can minimally respond to commands. She has great difficulty to remember and learn new things.

Before coming for treatment Shonia weighted 13kg, and her height was 106cm. Despite her parents' efforts she could not gain weight and did not grow.

Shonia had postural imbalance that did not allow her to walk or even sit unsupported:  her upper body was thrust backwards, her legs were crossed, in a scissors like posture, and her leg's muscles were tight to a level she was not able to place her foot flat on the ground, but could only stand on her toes.

Since her waist and neck muscles were weak, she could not hold herself in a sitting position without support.

She could not grasp objects with her hands, as they were too tight and weak.  

Shonia was often nervous and anxious, and her seizure disorder would worsen in an unfamiliar environment or when meeting new people.

AFTER TREATMENT:

See Videos: afterPT, afterOT, afterST

Shonia was discharge from the hospital after 4 months of treatment, weighting 15.5kg, and with 114cm height. She gained 2.5kg and grew taller in 8cm.  Her doctors noted that her gaining weight was essential to her progress.

Shonia showed a significant improvement in her posture:  she now had better sitting posture than before, better control of her neck and waist, and she could now stand straight with her feet flat on the ground, a significant step that may allow her one day to walk.

Her general muscle tension has decreased while her muscle volume increased.

She had now better control on her hands and fingers and she could grasp small objects in her hands, though not for a long time.

An important improvement for Shonia was a better eye ball's movement ? she could fix her eyes on one object better than before and her tracking and eye contact improved, which results in better response to commands and better communication. 

Shonia's speech was improving as well; when Shonia was 4 years old her speech deteriorated and she almost did not speak since then. During the treatment, she started to make progress again, the few words she could say were now more clear and she started to make new sounds.

Shonia also showed better control of her tongue, which made her chew and bite better than before.

During the last two months of the treatment Shonia's epilepsy was controlled with no epileptic episodes.

Shonia's parents are hoping to bring their daughter for a second treatment in the coming future. 

To contact Shonia's parents and read more about her story visit Shonia's website at: http://uk.360.yahoo.com/kishpritshonia.

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On 21st of February, 2008,  5 months after Shonia's treatment, her mother, Priti, tells to a "Daily Echo" reporter:

Shonia is now 8cm taller, 3kg heavier, and can sit unaided. She can stand with very little support and place her feet flat on the ground, raising hopes that she will walk one day.

She has gained control over her neck, hands, fingers and eye movements. She can follow instructions; is toilet trained; has started trying to feed herself; and is attempting to talk. Most strikingly, she seems happier and more relaxed.

"Her sleep has improved so much," said Mrs Tahiliani. "Before, every little noise would wake her. Now she can sleep like a baby. We've reduced her epilepsy medication. She's only had one seizure in the last eight months."