A r t h r o g r y p o s i s - +


physical . therapy

When I was born I looked like a little ball. My legs and arms were twisted in such a way that they seemed to be attached completely to my body and the doctors told my parents that there was no hope for me. I would be better living in a institution like my uncle David where nurses would take care of me 24/7 ::shivers:: So there I was, this tiny little ball placed in a stocking being sent home the day after Christmas to a mother who took one look at me and said that no daughter of hers was going to spend her life in bed all day. If she couldn't do it why should I be allowed such comforts. And that was the day I began physical therapy.

Physical therapy isn't the miracle cure for AMC, but it does help improve the joint's strength and range of motion. Babies who are born with AMC can learn to walk and jump and run and raise their hand and etc. They can work their joints so that one day their movement will be near that of a normal person. But physical therapy is hard and parents and children alike have to be strong and willing because therapy will be apart of the rest of their lives.

You might laugh, but I'm serious when I say that life without therapy is no life at all. Its the first thing I mention when a parent asks me what they should do to improve their child's state of being. Its the first thing my mom says as well. And to prove it I'll use my experiences as an example.

OK, so there I am in a stocking (i must have looked so cute!! December babies rule!) and my mom is holding me, and she just made this life-changing decision for me. So what happens next? Well, she gives me the therapy (because she is a doctor and I recommend that all parents should consult a doctor or therapist before performing therapy on your child) and suddenly I'm able to sit up. One strike against that doctor. Then, I learn how to walk on my knees. Ahh, strike two. And for the final blow, I am now a second year law student. Strike three, you're out. But my mother didn't do this alone. I had to be strong. She always taught me that if I ever wanted anything in life I would have to fight for it and I have. So can you.

As I stated before therapy isn't a complete cure but it does help. It is not the only treatment for AMC and it wouldn't be fair on my part if I didn't at least mention some of them. Splints and surgery are two treatments that can help correct the position of feet or ankles and so on. As always, for more information on AMC, therapy, and anything else, please visit Avenues at http://www.sonnet.com/avenues