Read on Please :)

First, I’m going to copy & paste what was written by a friend of mine, Jenn Bechard, on FaceBook about a young boy with Hydrocephalus named Kadyn, and how ALL OF US can help give him a better Christmas this year, this will be the first Christmas he won't be spending in a hospital (yes, he has Hydrocephalus)

written by Jenn Bechard:
Christmas for Sara & Kadyn
The response has been overwhelming so far and we cannot thank you enough for participating in our first “JUST BELIEVE” Christmas project. Sara (Kadyn’s mom) is absolutely thrilled that we are doing this! All she is asking for is a great Christmas for little Kadyn. We are hoping and praying that we cannot only help them but also that they can celebrate this Christmas at home. Kadyn is 2 and has never been home for Christmas. He has always been in the hospital with his Mom.

Please remember gift card amounts can be of any amount. We appreciate any donations, big or small. We have asked that you please let us know what you intend on buying if possible. This will help us let people know, when asked, what is still really needed for the family. We ask for your name but this will not be included in the updated list sent out to people, It will just state “purchased” so that everyone has their privacy!

Cash or checks are welcome too! If you would rather donate a check please make checks payable to Sara Inman.

All items can be mailed to:
Jennifer/Denise Bechard
15315 Golfview Street
Livonia, MI 48154

written by: ME! :D
**Since there was SUCH an OVERWHELMING amount of Christmas cards & gifts for “Noah” ( who I wrote about in a previous post ) I figured I would mention Kadyn as well. Everyone keep your fingers crossed that he’ll get to spend Christmas at home this year and not at the hospital! *



Next, there is a website that I belong to that I frequent actually, it’s www.cafemom.com and they have, oh I dunno, probably over a MILLION different forums you can join!! From single moms, to Lesbian moms, to Coffee drinking moms, & ofcourse, groups for moms with "Special Needs" Children.. I think I belong to 5 or 6 forums there, but theres no limit to the amount of forums you can join, and believe me, there IS something for everybody there!!
ANYWAY, yesterday I was reading through posts in “Children with Special Needs, etc..” and a post by the group leader,(screen name - Akhlass), was “What is Cerebral Palsy?” and I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! So naturally I copied & pasted it into my “notepad” & after I thought about it, decided to share it here on our blog.
I know not ALL people with Hydrocephalus have CP, but my daughter does, so I DO often get asked "hey, what exactally IS Cerebral Palsy" quite often. But there IS a signifigant amount of people that have Hydro, and CP BECAUSE of the brain damage from their Hydro (which is my daughter's case)
So whether CP interests you or not, it's an informative post to read, & I hope you enjoy :)



What is Cerebral Palsy?

Doctors use the term cerebral palsy to refer to any one of a number of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body movement and muscle coordination but aren’t progressive, in other words, they don’t get worse over time. The term cerebral refers to the two halves or hemispheres of the brain, in this case to the motor area of the brain’s outer layer (called the cerebral cortex), the part of the brain that directs muscle movement; palsy refers to the loss or impairment of motor function.

Even though cerebral palsy affects muscle movement, it isn’t caused by problems in the muscles or nerves. It is caused by abnormalities inside the brain that disrupt the brain’s ability to control movement and posture.

In some cases of cerebral palsy, the cerebral motor cortex hasn’t developed normally during fetal growth. In others, the damage is a result of injury to the brain either before, during, or after birth. In either case, the damage is not repairable and the disabilities that result are permanent.

Children with cerebral palsy exhibit a wide variety of symptoms, including:

•lack of muscle coordination when performing voluntary movements (ataxia);
•stiff or tight muscles and exaggerated reflexes (spasticity);
•walking with one foot or leg dragging;
•walking on the toes, a crouched gait, or a “scissored” gait;
•variations in muscle tone, either too stiff or too floppy;
•excessive drooling or difficulties swallowing or speaking;
•shaking (tremor) or random involuntary movements; and
•difficulty with precise motions, such as writing or buttoning a shirt.

The symptoms of cerebral palsy differ in type and severity from one person to the next, and may even change in an individual over time. Some people with cerebral palsy also have other medical disorders, including mental retardation, seizures, impaired vision or hearing, and abnormal physical sensations or perceptions.

Cerebral palsy doesn’t always cause profound disabilities. While one child with severe cerebral palsy might be unable to walk and need extensive, lifelong care, another with mild cerebral palsy might be only slightly awkward and require no special assistance.

Cerebral palsy isn’t a disease. It isn’t contagious and it can’t be passed from one generation to the next. There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but supportive treatments, medications, and surgery can help many individuals improve their motor skills and ability to communicate with the world.


Now wasnt that informative?! LoL!

I will as always, keep you all posted!
Thank you for reading & visiting our site.

xx
Andrea