Adnan, is a very strong-willed and darling young boy. His mother was the inspiration for starting this blog so I am posting Adnan's history in her words:
A Little History
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| Adnan at 17 months |
Adnan was born with birth complications as a result of which he has had
a left-sided brain bleeding. We knew about it at birth, but were told that if
symptoms do not prevail, we should not do anything about it. When Adnan was 6
month old, I started to notice that he is not using his right hand as often as
the left hand. After my repeated pleas to his pediatrician, he was finally
diagnosed at his 9 months well visit with right sided hemi paresis. He was not
only restricted in the usage of his right hand, also his right hand and leg had
high and sometimes unequally distributed tone compared to his left side. Both
his feet were turned inward (right foot was more affected) and not fully
grasping the floor. He presented delays in meeting up his milestones. After
long enrollment procedure, we finally started physical, occupational and speech
therapy services through the Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program.
ECI therapists kept coming during the following months, but, except for some
improvements in his right hand, I was not noticing any improvements neither in
positioning of his feet, nor in terms of him reaching his milestones. At about
15 month old, he was not crawling on all fours (only combat crawling), was not cruising
or walking. He was able only to sit (which he learned around 12 months old) and
was able to pull up to stand only if we helped him. He was wearing leg
braces on both feet to correct his feet positioning.
I was worried to death for him. Seeing your child not being able to do
things that his peers have been doing long ago was heartbreaking. I know they
say “it is not a race”, and I do agree with that. But I believe there is a
reasonable limit to a “child taking his time," and one should certainly
distinguish between the “late blooming child” and the “delayed child with
neurological issues”.
I started to look for alternative therapies. In the course of my
research I came across a forum where parents were discussing the benefits of the Feldenkrais Method® for different sorts of issues their children had. I was
ready to try anything that might work, so, decided to go for it. Through my
searches I found Kathy, who was recommended by her colleagues during my
telephone conversations with some of them as “being really great with the
kids”. That was it, I called her and luckily for us, she agreed to see my son.
Meeting Kathy
When we met Kathy, Adnan was about 15 months old. She was indeed great
with my son Adnan, just as described. Adnan enjoyed sessions greatly, as she is
very soft, easygoing, engaging, flexible, non- intrusive, but at the same time
very professional. Having listened carefully to what I had to say about him,
she examined him from head to toe to set up a strategy on which areas he needs
the most work to be done. You will not believe it, but after only two sessions
with Kathy, Adnan started to pull up to stand independently and cruise, all at
once!! I could not believe my eyes, as if he had been sleeping during all this
time and had suddenly been awakened!!!
After two more sessions, he was finally able to crawl on all fours!!! So
at exactly 15 months he was able to pull up to stand independently and cruise
and at 15 1/2 he was crawling on all fours!!! I finally found some
peace of mind…
But as I have described above there were other issues remaining:
positioning of his feet, tone in his right leg and hand. After what I have
seen, I was determined to continue with the Feldenkrais Method and of course,
Kathy! I am so grateful that she also agreed to further work on my son’s
issues. So, since January 2013 up to present, my son Adnan has been receiving
regular weekly therapy from Kathy and here are our further accomplishments:
* At 18 months Adnan finally walked, yay!!
* He is no longer wearing braces on his feet
as the positioning of both feet has significantly improved.
* His right leg has improved, and when he walks
he does not limp (as opposed to the gloomy prognosis given by his
pediatrician who has diagnosed him)!
* Use
of his right hand has also improved; he is becoming increasingly aware of his
right hand.
There is still slight tone
in his right leg and right hand and he needs some help with balancing while
walking, so we are working on those issues. But those are so small compared to
where we were when we started. I believe that with Kathy’s help we will be able
to also overcome those remaining issues. At his 21 months, Adnan is able to
pretty much do everything that his peers are doing, and he keeps on improving
and progressing.
We cannot thank Kathy
enough. All I can say that she gave my son, myself and all my family a hope,
and brought me back from falling into despair. She gave my son what he needs to
have to be a normal boy. I would recommend working with her to anyone who wants
the best for their kids. Thank you dear Kathy!!!!
Here is a clip of Adnan Walking at 21 months.
It is extremely gratifying to read Esmira's story here. And at 23 months, Adnan is falling much less and climbing up stairs almost independently.
