Update: Emmett has been an all star since his SDR surgery in July! He had a few set backs such as breaking his tibia about 3 weeks after surgery. This has slowed down his therapy services, but we are getting back into the groove of things now that his boot is off.
He is finally walking on his own without help and is getting back to some of his favorite things, such as jumping and running. His big personality is back and we have noticed a huge difference in a right hand.
Emmett’s 4 month follow-up appointment is coming up in November with Dr. Park in St. Louis. We plan on driving this time and we are taking Charlotte, Emmett’s little sister, along for the drive. We are again asking for donations to help with the cost. Donations will go towards gas for the 2,000 mile round trip drive, hotel accommodations, food, and any other expenses that might arise.
I will be taking another 1 to 2 weeks off of work with no pay for this appointment. My hours have also been decreased since the surgery due to the amount of time I miss for Emmett’s appointments. Any donation is so very helpful. It means way more than anybody knows! We thank you all for your love and support on this
as it is helping Emmett live a more “normal” and pain free life! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!-Haley Ross
Our family is asking for your help. This is something I never thought we would do, but here we are. Here is our story.
Emmett was born in 2019 at 27 weeks after I had Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membrane (PPROM). Emmett was in the NICU for 86 days before he came home. At 18 months old, Emmett was diagnosed with Hemipalegic Cerebral Palsy on his right side. He started walking on his own when he was about 2.5 years old. He has had multiple therapies over the years, botox injections, he is currently on multiple medications including Gabapentin, and has had serial casting on his right leg. He continues to struggle with a lot of tightness which affects his walking, balance, gait, etc. This makes him very accident prone.
Emmett is scheduled to have Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) surgery in St. Louis on July 20, 2023. “SDR is one of the best options for reducing cerebral palsy spasticity in select patients. SDR involves sectioning (cutting) of some of the sensory nerve fibers that come from the muscles and enter the spinal cord. SDR is the only surgical procedure that can provide permanent reduction of spasticity in CP.”. The recovery is about a year long, which will require physical therapy 5x a week, Occupational therapy 1x a week, on top of the therapy he is already getting.
We are asking for your help. Costs are adding up: flights, hotel, food, and therapy services. I will be taking a lot of time off of work with no pay. My husband is able to take one month off, then he will return to work. Any little bit helps and we are beyond appreciative of everyone’s love and support as we navigate this chapter.
