When our 4½-year-old son, Ty, was 8 months old, as a result of encephalitis and accompanying seizures, which left him in a coma for several weeks, he suffered severe brain damage. He has been diagnosed with a medical condition known as cerebral palsy (CP). This impairment stems from damage sustained to the motor areas of the brain, impairing his voluntary muscle control. Ty cannot use his arms or hands, sit unassisted, roll, walk, or perform any functions characteristic of normal children his own age. With physical therapy, however, he is now able to hold his head up for short periods of time.

 

We are constantly looking for ways to improve Ty’s condition. One treatment that shows promising improvement in children with CP is hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT). HBOT dramatically increases the amount of oxygen at the cellular level. This increase in oxygen revives damaged (oxygen-starved) areas of the brain, by promoting growth of new blood vessels to these marginally functioning brain cells. The sooner the treatment is administered, and the younger the patient, the more improvements have been documented. After researching many facilities in the U.S. and Canada, we have been referred to a wonderful facility in North Carolina - Children’s Hyperbarics at Miracle Mountain.   

 

We are very excited about the potential benefits of HBOT to Ty. He is considered an excellent candidate and is scheduled for treatment in October. He has an incredible spirit and a strong will to live and progress in his development. We are hoping to see improvements in his vision and overall spasticity so that he will have more control of his extremities and trunk.

 

HBOT for CP is not yet covered by insurance in the United States and is very expensive. We have had to save and raise money to pay for the treatment and are still faced with the cost of transportation to North Carolina. We feel so blessed that we have been put in contact with Miracle Flights for Kids and hope that you can help us in our never-ending quest to help our precious little boy. Thank you so much for your consideration.

 

Ty’s Family