- Z
On March 9, 2013 at approximately 12:30 am Harper entered our world seemingly healthy and ready to meet her very eager big sister Emery. Labor was short but not so sweet! Regardless, everything about her was perfect! We instantly fell in love with her wrinkly skin and puffy little eyes, and we were so happy a day and half later to be released fom the hospital to take our new precious little princess home.
Like normal parents we kept her close and couldn't take our eyes off her! It wasn't until about 2 months later that we noticed something different about Harper. At only two months she seemed already a "lefty"! She swiped things with her left hand keeping her right hand mostly fisted. So we sought medical advice for reassurance. At her next appointment we mentioned that Harp seemed to be favoring her left hand over her right. However, the doctor assured us that she was meeting all her developmental milestones, even boasting our baby's development saying "she's so alert and wise for such a young baby." A month later another physician said the same thing.
By four months we were convinced that Harper's right arm was not functioning as it should and demanded a referral to a specialist! Harper's doctor gave in and gave us both a referral to a neurologist and a physical therapist. After reaching out to a neurologist Harper's needs were not considered urgent so an appointment was scheduled for 3 months later. While we waited for the neurologist appointment she was evaluated by a therapist. The PT initially diagnosed Harper with Brachial Plexus, a disorder caused during labor that affects the nerves in a shoulder and neck area. She suggested that Harper begin PT immediately and so with this diagnosis at 4 months Harper begin physical therapy.
Finally Harper was 7 months and her appointment with the neurologists was here!
At 7 months, after an MRI and a follow up with neurologist it was determined that Harper did not have brachial plexus. However, MRI showed that she suffered a stroke at some point during birth. There was no definite prognosis or cause. So we did not know what this meant for our daughter. We are still trying to figure out. "Pediatric stroke is case to case" What people know about stroke is that it causes one side of the body to become deficient. What we were not prepared for was to see a picture of our tiny daughters brain with an entire area in gray, instead of white like the rest of her brain. The grey area represented the part of her brain that was damaged. Because of Harper's stroke... The entire right side or her body is affected!
Harper is now 18 months and has made great strides! She loves to sing and can't get enough of watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She tries her best to keep up with her sister and older cousins. She has created her own form of mobility scooting around on her knees. She can talk and count, she can understand what is being said to her and, she can sing every word of John legend's "All of Me"! However, there are things that we sometimes take for granted that Harper will struggle with for a long time! Because of her stroke she won't be able to put her shoes and clothes on without assistance for sometime, she might not tie a shoe for even longer, when she falls she has a hard time catching herself and getting back up, and her biggest challenge right now is walking.
Harper does occupational therapy and physical therapy weekly, and will soon began receiving speech therapy. Thus far, she's had a hand brace, a arm caste and special equipment on her wrist to help weight baring. Just recently it was determined that Harper would need special braces on her legs to aid in walking.
As you know medical treatment can be expensive. Harper's therapy alone started out at $250 a week. The amount for her leg braces exceed $5000.00. And we've paid almost $1000 in co-pays just this year! If this reaches you then you should also know we are a family that believes in making it happen and not having to ask for assistance. But Harper is barely 2 and the cost keep adding up! Harper's brain injury will never go away and, no one is sure of what Harper will or will not go through in the future as a result of her stroke. What we do know is she is a fighter and she keeps proving that God has his hands on her. Along with the numerous therapists and doctors, prayer warriors, friends and family and her WILL to recover we are sure Harper will be okay ! We are raising money to help our daughter get the devices needed to help her walk.
If you are able to give we gratefully appreciate it. Every little bit counts!! More than anything we ask that you keep our little Harper lifted. We have already seen mountains moved!!!