Improve Ashton's Quality of Life
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Ashton's Video-1
Help Ashton Get Better!
Our journey with Ashton began in 2008 when he was born at 34.5 weeks. He spent the first 47 days of his life in the NICU fighting for his life. Ashton had multiple complications at birth. We were told by doctors that he may not live. If he did live, he would be at high risk for neurodevelopmental problems.
Upon discharge from the hospital, he came home with a G-tube, and heart monitor, although, thankfully, he was able to transition out of the use of them. His development was slow and at 6 months, a brain scan was done from which we were told he would probably be blind. And then at 2, doctors confirmed the dreaded diagnosis of cerebral palsy. There are many types and levels of cerebral palsy, Ashton’s type being Spastic Diplegic, meaning mainly his lower extremities are affected by tight muscles and he would be considered at a level 4. We didn’t know anything about Ashton’s second diagnosis, Cortical Visual Impairment, until he was 5 years old. His vision was so limited that he learned to adapt without the use of it.
Today, Ashton is a patient, affectionate 7-year-old boy who loves to interact with others, sing and play the piano. Development has been delayed for him with the combined complications from the cerebral palsy and visual impairment. He is still non-ambulatory and unable to care for himself independently in any way. Yet, he is generally happy despite his limitations.
At present, he is taking steps, attempting to self-feed, among other things we are working on, however, every activity requires one on one assistance whether it be physically or auditory. Ashton has a lot of anxiety, sometimes to the point of throwing up, resulting from lack of vision, medical appointment experiences, and the extraordinary effort it takes for him to do any activity. Feeding time and introduction to anything new are specific triggers of anxiety for him. Imagine a world of limited vision and mobility filled with hard work, medical appointments, and little control over your daily activities. He gets frustrated when he doesn’t know how to express his needs and wants, and gets bored quickly as there is little he can do independently.
There is hope! CP and Cortical Visual Impairment are non-progressive conditions and there is potential for improvement with specialized treatments and techniques. There are many and diverse treatments for CP and Cortical Visual Impairment to help reduce pain, increase chances of maximizing potential, and improve quality of life. In addition to the traditional Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy that he is receiving in the school setting, our medical goals for him include continuing a brain rehabilitation therapy program, sensory integration therapy, surgery to address his hip displagia ( hips coming out of the sockets) and Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (surgery to reduce spasticity).
The only thing standing between Ashton and his chance at maximizing his potential and improving his quality of life, is money. A person with his level of cerebral palsy will always require care. We are and will be constantly faced with financial obstacles with his care as many aspects are not covered by insurance. These would include handicapped accessible bathroom, sensory integration therapy, brain rehabilitation therapy, flight and hotel stays associated with treatment requiring travel, piano lessons, etc. WE WILL NOT GIVE UP, but we can't do this without more help: there just isn't enough funds.
Please act today! Every donation counts.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
www.ashtonmarkham.com
Ashton's Video-1
Help Ashton Get Better!
Our journey with Ashton began in 2008 when he was born at 34.5 weeks. He spent the first 47 days of his life in the NICU fighting for his life. Ashton had multiple complications at birth. We were told by doctors that he may not live. If he did live, he would be at high risk for neurodevelopmental problems.
Upon discharge from the hospital, he came home with a G-tube, and heart monitor, although, thankfully, he was able to transition out of the use of them. His development was slow and at 6 months, a brain scan was done from which we were told he would probably be blind. And then at 2, doctors confirmed the dreaded diagnosis of cerebral palsy. There are many types and levels of cerebral palsy, Ashton’s type being Spastic Diplegic, meaning mainly his lower extremities are affected by tight muscles and he would be considered at a level 4. We didn’t know anything about Ashton’s second diagnosis, Cortical Visual Impairment, until he was 5 years old. His vision was so limited that he learned to adapt without the use of it.
Today, Ashton is a patient, affectionate 7-year-old boy who loves to interact with others, sing and play the piano. Development has been delayed for him with the combined complications from the cerebral palsy and visual impairment. He is still non-ambulatory and unable to care for himself independently in any way. Yet, he is generally happy despite his limitations.
At present, he is taking steps, attempting to self-feed, among other things we are working on, however, every activity requires one on one assistance whether it be physically or auditory. Ashton has a lot of anxiety, sometimes to the point of throwing up, resulting from lack of vision, medical appointment experiences, and the extraordinary effort it takes for him to do any activity. Feeding time and introduction to anything new are specific triggers of anxiety for him. Imagine a world of limited vision and mobility filled with hard work, medical appointments, and little control over your daily activities. He gets frustrated when he doesn’t know how to express his needs and wants, and gets bored quickly as there is little he can do independently.
There is hope! CP and Cortical Visual Impairment are non-progressive conditions and there is potential for improvement with specialized treatments and techniques. There are many and diverse treatments for CP and Cortical Visual Impairment to help reduce pain, increase chances of maximizing potential, and improve quality of life. In addition to the traditional Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy that he is receiving in the school setting, our medical goals for him include continuing a brain rehabilitation therapy program, sensory integration therapy, surgery to address his hip displagia ( hips coming out of the sockets) and Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (surgery to reduce spasticity).
The only thing standing between Ashton and his chance at maximizing his potential and improving his quality of life, is money. A person with his level of cerebral palsy will always require care. We are and will be constantly faced with financial obstacles with his care as many aspects are not covered by insurance. These would include handicapped accessible bathroom, sensory integration therapy, brain rehabilitation therapy, flight and hotel stays associated with treatment requiring travel, piano lessons, etc. WE WILL NOT GIVE UP, but we can't do this without more help: there just isn't enough funds.
Please act today! Every donation counts.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
www.ashtonmarkham.com
Organizer and beneficiary
Donald Markham
Organizer
Warren Township, NJ
Donald Markham
Beneficiary
