The above video features Christian Izquierdo, a 16-year-old from Florida. When he was eight months old, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Activities like running and jumping seemed forever out-of- reach – until a doctor in St. Louis changed his life.
Thanks to a procedure called a selective dorsal rhizotomy, Christian can run and jump. Doctors have also noticed an improvement in his speech.
A New Life
Dr. T. S. Park has performed the procedure on nearly 2,400 children with cerebral palsy. Search for the surgery on YouTube and you will find several videos of children running and walking after the operation – many of them performed by Dr. Park. The surgery is not cheap – Christian’s cost nearly $32,000, and it is not covered by most out-of-state insurance companies. His family set up a website called Christian’s Crusade to raise money.
The Procedure
Many parents agree that the selective dorsal rhizotomy, or SDR, is worth the money. During the procedure, the surgeon stimulates nerves in the spinal column with electricity to determine which ones are sending abnormal signals to the muscles. The surgeon cuts these nerves to create a more balanced relationship between the muscles and nervous system.
This is excellent news for children with cerebral palsy who face many unique challenges on a daily basis. Parents of children with cerebral palsy might be able to seek justice against a hospital if medical errors led to the condition. Call us today at 1-(800)-460-0606 for more information, or visit our website to learn more about cerebral palsy.
Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP – cerebral palsy lawyers
