Click on the picture of Botox medication to read more about equipment and other gadgets we have used for Troy.
There is information about walkers, Botox, knee pads, railings, etc.
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Meet our first-born twin Troy. During one of his many ultrasounds it was discovered that Troy had cysts on the back portion of his brain near the top of his neck. It was said at that point there might be some sort of delay in Troy’s motor skills. Too what extent was the question? The cysts could have been from an infection while I was pregnant, during the birthing process or because they were premature.
Once home, we had visits to Grand River Hospital once a month to some times every week. At that time it was made mention that Troy may some day need casts or braces for his legs. We also had infant development doing monthly home visits. Pediatrician also wanted to see them every 6 mths as well Hamilton Hospital for Growth and Development and eye check ups. I used to get stressed and sometimes mad having so many appointments.
While doing physio at Grand River Hospital, Troy and Scott were referred to Kids Ability (Rotory Center). Within two months they had their first assessment. At that point there was still no diagnose regarding Troy who was not crawling or sitting rather pulling himself along the floor. Scott was however at his age level developmentally.
At one of our visits to Mac (Hamilton Health Science Center), the doctor finally made the diagnoses that Troy had Diplegia, a form of Cerebral Palsy. Diplegia means a huge amount of muscle tightness in both his legs making it very difficult to sit and walk. The doctor predicted Troy to be walking by the time he entered kindergarten. I remember the doctor asking me if I cried when I first heard the mention of possible CP. I chuckled and said when they were born at 2lbs each, got sick a couple of times and needed blood transfusions I cried. This new diagnoses was not near as bad. He says mom and dad and has huge potential, which is all that mattered to us. Troy is a very motivated little boy, motivation that will work and has worked in his favor. Now if Troy were to never walk that would of course break our hearts but we would still have our little angel that has so much to offer in this world.
Once we started making weekly visits to Kids Ability every week we noticed a huge difference in Troy right away. Our sessions consist of working on exercises that teach Troy how to develop physically around his disability. He can do anything Scott can just not with near as much ease and not necessarily the same way. I bring Scott along to every appointment. Troys physiotherapist is great with him as well working with all of us. She put Troy in the class of having mild Diplegia. He may walk with assistance (walker, canes) or with no assistance (with or without braces).
Troy wears AFO’s (braces). This is too aid in keeping his feet and ankles aligned as well give him the support he needs to walk. At a cost of $1200 he got a brace for each leg. Thanks to ADP (Assistive Devices Program) 75% of the $1200 was covered. The other 25% was covered by my husbands work insurance. We did contact one of our local clubs ___________ to help pay the last portion should Deans work not. There is also Easter Seals who help pay for items such as braces.
It took a while for Troy to get used to the braces.
We started: 1hr on
2hrs off
then 2hrs on then then 3-4hrs on
1hr off 1hr off We did no major pushing at any time.
Troy now wears his AFO’s all day(including afternoon nap) and off at bedtime. Of course during the summer when we go in the pool off they come. Some days we put them back on or if it is really hot they stay off.
Troy also does exercises with “gators”. These are keeping his legs nice and straight while he does his stretches. We use these anywhere from once a day up to three times. Three times is getting very lucky. Majority of the time it is just once. A day.
Troy at this point has Botox injections every three months in London. He gets the injections in both his legs up to this point. One leg tends to be more tight leaving us the option to have the full Botox injection in one leg. Up to this point we have had the injections in both legs. The process is similar to vacinations. He cries for only seconds after (thanks in part to treats we have ready to give him). The injection lasts a little longer than an immunization needle. We notice looseness in Troy right away after each injection he has received. We both thought we were crazy the very first injection he had and thought we were seeing things. But it was true the Botox took an immediate affect.
Troy can go and do whatever he is capable of. He will try everything even if in everyone elses eyes shouldn't work. Troy finds a way to make it work and if it doesn't then we find a way that will make it work.
Troy has had surgery on both of his legs(2007) and has come a very long way since that time. Major improvements. He has not received a botox injection since his surgery. Troy was casted on both legs for five weeks. Five weeks that he amazed us as he coped very well considering his brother and little sister were running around. Troy is mommy's little hero and we are so proud of him.
It can be very difficult as a parent to have one twin running around with ease and the other twin with small restrictions. We cannot just let the two of them walk around the block. Troy gets around on his hands and knees mostly around the house but has been turning to his walker alot more. Troy has also been learning how to uses crutches. He prefers the walker as he can go alot faster.
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