Samuel was diagnosed with in utero CVA and right side hemiparesis. He was born at 31 weeks gestation, and adopted by his loving parents Mike and Jennifer. Sam grew and progressed in the NICU, he was strong, curious, happy and full of cuddles. However in the course of the NICU protocols for children born before 32 weeks, Sam had a head ultrasound followed by an MRI that found he had an enlarged left ventricle caused by multiple stokes on the left hemisphere of his brain. They immediately started physical therapy and constraint therapy. It was apparent that that Sam would have increased weakness and abnormal tone on his right side particularly his right arm and right let making typical activities difficult.
Sam’s right foot drop makes it difficult to walk. When he walks he his right hip and swings his legs around to avoid tripping on his foot. This gait pattern puts Sam at risk for musculoskeletal abnormalities and injury, tripping and falling and reinforcing maladaptive pattern of gait. This makes it difficult to climb on the playground, run, play sports, and keeping up with his peers. Sam is a strong and energetic young boy.
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