Change Perceptions about CP
Faster than a speeding bullet... nah it's not Superman, it's Amichai! Meet my (almost) 4 year old son, Amichai. Sometime around the time of his birth - whether before, during, or after (doctors were unable to give an exact time line), Amichai suffered a stroke. He was in the NICU for two weeks as doctors monitored him and ran tests. Doctors defined his condition as hemiplegic, a type of CP that results from damage to the brain responsible for muscle movement. Hemiplegia means that one side of the body has been affected by the brain injury, and in Amichai's case, it was his right side. He has high muscle tone down his right side.
One of the advantages we inherited was that Amichai was diagnosed almost immediately after birth, so we knew what we needed to look out for as Amichai started developing and, when he was just three months old, he started physical and occupational therapy. This early intervention has made all the difference in the world. While Amichai might face challenges, the physical and occupational therapy, as well as countless hours of homework, have taught him how to persevere and understand just how strong his body really is.
Nothing stops him. He doesn't give up, he thinks outside the box, he adapts and he always succeeds. One of the things that was so scary for me as a parent was just the unknown. With brain injuries, it's impossible to know what to expect, what challenges are down the road. As Amichai is growing and developing, I am so thankful and proud of all he has accomplished and I am so hopeful for all he will continue to do. Perfect is how perfect comes, and Amichai can do anything he wants to do... especially in his superman suit!
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