Terrance

Hello! My name is Terrance and I am now 5 years old!! I was born at 26 weeks and spent over 16 weeks in the NICU at Royal Oak Beaumont. When I was born I weighed only 2 pounds, 5 ounces. There were a lot of complications. Mom and Dad were really scared that I might not make it!

Once I got stronger, everyone at the hospital said that it would take me until my first birthday to get caught up. During my first birthday party, it was obvious to my family that I wasn't 'caught up'. After all, I was a year old and couldn't even sit up by myself! Just after my birthday I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Mom started right away taking me to all these different people that made me exercise! They would stretch me and do all kinds of things that I really didn't like! Every day was a challenge.

After a couple of years of traditional therapy, my mom met someone who told her about Conductive Education. We weren't sure that the program was right for us, but we thought we would give it a shot! We were willing to try anything. Doctors had started to tell us about medications for spasticity. They even started to talk with mom about surgeries that we didn't want to even think about. Within a few months of starting the CE, we knew that this program did WORK!! Even though we still follow up with the same doctors, they have put off any kind of surgical intervention!!!

Before CE, I had been walking with a walker. Shortly after, I went to using forearm crutches. Since this summer, I have been walking independently! I am now in a regular kindergarten class with all of my friends! I have been involved with Conductive Education for almost two years. It has made such a difference in my life!! When I began this program, I didn't like therapy at all! But, I love CE! I love the Conductors and all of the friends that I have met. We sing songs and do other fun 'tasks'.

I have a blast and don't even know how much I am learning!!!! I would not be doing the things that I do every day, if it weren't for CE. I love to shoot hoops and practice walking backwards. CE has really given me a different way of life!!