Background Story
I am Michael , a happy 14 year old , almost 15 . I have Cerebral Palsy.
I was born 11 weeks premature. My Mom was sick with Strep B infection and I got it because of a careless mistake. I ended up having a seizure when I was two days old. This caused a grade 4 brain hemorrhage. I then was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus . After many spinal taps in my little 3 pound 5 oz body , the doctors said I should be ok.
I was four months old when the Hydrocephalus came back and my parents rushed me back to the hospital. I had to have a VP shunt placed in my brain to relieve the pressure. I did well with this surgery and had follow up health care.
My second surgery was when I was in my second year of life . I started to walk and had many gait problems. This is when I was diagnose with Cerebral Palsy. I was scheduled for surgery to correct some of these problems. I had this surgery at AI duPont hospital. My doctor was Dr. K. Dabney. I have been seeing Dr. Dabney for my orthopedic needs ever since.
After many years of therapy , special schooling and tears I thought I was settled. Things seemed to be normal. I did have a stride when I walked and my strabismus caused my eye to turn, but I was a happy teen.
I have grown a lot since I was born , I am now 5'6" . I had a large growth spurt last year and it caused me some health issues.
In September of 2008 I got a headache and didn't feel good . After three days , we knew it wasn't my allergies or a normal headache. Before my Mom could get me to the doctor to get checked out , I had a seizure and the ambulance was called.
I was taken to AI duPont Children's Hospital. After a few hours of testing they found out that my VP Shunt was malfunctioning. Where I had got taller it disconnected the tubing from my shunt. I had to have surgery and have a revision done. My doctor was Dr. Campbell. He did a wonderful job with my surgery and my recovery.
I had some issues with my eyes because of this surgery. At the time I was admitted to the Hospital I couldn't see because of the pressure on my optic nerve. That is when I met Dr. Lehman.
When I went for a post op visit to her to get my eyesight checked , she told me she could do a corrective surgery on my eyes to help me with my alignment. The strabismus was very noticeable and effected my eyesight.
In February of 2009 I had the eye procedure done. It has been several weeks since and I am very happy with my eyes. They look wonderful , they are straight and that makes me very happy !
I started getting some pain in my right leg that is effected by my Cerebral Palsy. I had a gait analysis done in December with Dr. Dabney. I was going to see him about the results of this test and told him about my recent pain.
It was then we decided to do corrective surgery on my leg. I was growing taller and it was making my muscle tighter, my arch was collapsing and I was in pain .. This surgery is scheduled for April 16, 2009 at AI duPont Children's Hospital. I will be having four different procedures done.
My Mom will be sending updates for this surgery so friends and family can know the lasted on my health condition.
My goal is to get the surgery, heal and try to return to Kennett Middle School and participate in my end of the year 8th grade activities and graduation. I look forward to High School . I want to attend trade/vocational school to be a Chef.
