Cerebral palsy is a life-changing diagnosis for patients and their families. However, there may be hope. Stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy may help improve symptoms and allow patients to enjoy life more than ever. In this blog, we talk to Randy, a clinical pharmacist, and her son Owen who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at just over a year old.
Owen’s cerebral palsy diagnosis came with the likelihood that he would never communicate verbally or be able to walk. Fortunately, his family kept searching for solutions. This led them to learn about stem cell therapy in Panama. At Stem Cell Institute, they have found a second home dedicated to improving Owen’s life as well as the life of their family.
Watch Owen and Randy’s story below:
Owen’s Life Before Stem Cells
Diagnosed with severe quadriplegic cerebral palsy at 14 months old, the doctors told Randy that her son’s life wouldn’t be an easy one. He wasn’t expected to become verbal or have any quality of life. He was born a micropreemie at 28 weeks, weighing a little over one pound, and was extremely sick. In fact, he died twice during his 128-day stay in the NICU.
“We weren’t given much hope for a future with him,” said Randy, “but I had to tell my husband that the path we were going was a slow one.” She didn’t want to leave any stone unturned when it came to finding treatment. According to Randy, “I would rather take the chance and nothing happen than never do it and not know what we could have missed out on.”
After bringing Owen to Stem Cell Institute in Panama, Randy said:
“I’m glad we took the chance. My only regret is that we didn’t come sooner.”
Receiving Treatment One Summer at a Time
Owen could tell when he felt like the stem cells had stopped working. Although he was very non-verbal when he was younger, he could still communicate that it was time to go back. The Stanford family would come back every summer for treatment. As soon as school was over, Owen would let Randy and her husband know that he needed to go back to Panama.
“What do you tell your child when they go from a six or seven-year-old kid and non-verbal to ‘I need stem cells. I need to go to Panama’?” This is a question Randy had to ask herself. “His life revolves around early intervention and therapy. So when the joy is bringing him to Panama and improving his quality of life through stem cells, that’s priceless.”
Stem cell therapy isn’t the only reason the Stanfords enjoy coming to Stem Cell Institute in Panama. According to Randy, the staff is amazing, professional, and kind. “They make us feel like home,” she says. “It’s now like coming to see family. Owen walks in the door and everybody greets him with high-fives, hugs, kisses, and fist bumps. So it’s truly like coming home.”
Learn how stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy may be able to help your child.
Owen’s Life After Stem Cells for Cerebral Palsy
“Life after stem cells is really hard to explain,” said Randy. That’s because it’s so completely different from how it used to be. Owen doesn’t experience nearly as much pain as he used to and has been able to cut out six prescription medications.
He can now:
- Eat on his own
- Sleep more easily
- Communicate verbally
According to Randy, Owen has become much more social and experiences fewer sensory issues. “Not only does it make him better,” said Randy, “but it makes our family life better.” With Owen’s improvements, they are able to go out as an entire family and spend time together, without making arrangements for Owen to stay at home.
Owen had also been diagnosed with failure to thrive (FTT) as a young child, which is when a child’s weight or weight gain is significantly below children of the same sex and age. This was along with being immunocompromised. Randy used to have to keep Owen isolated so he would stay healthy, but now she says that he hasn’t been sick in a long time.
When asked what she would say to parents on the fence about stem cell therapy in Panama, Randy responded:
“I guess what I would say to anyone that was asking about stem cell treatment is that I know everybody’s journey is different. Some people are more successful than others, but it’s something I would really look into because it could be life-changing.”
Are you ready to learn what stem cell therapy may accomplish for your child? Click here to apply today!
Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 14 months old, it was unlikely that Owen would ever be verbal or be able to walk. Despite the prognosis, his mother kept looking for treatments, eventually learning about Stem Cell Institute in Panama. Here, the Stanford family has found a home away from home that is focused on improving Owen’s and their quality of life.
Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama is at the forefront of applied stem cell research. Since our creation in 2006, we have performed over 25,000 procedures, helping thousands of families across the United States and around the world embrace the opportunity for a better life. Our medical team prioritizes the safety, health, and well-being of all our patients through top-notch evaluation and care.
