Charlie’s ABM lessons
Donation protected
Hi everyone!
“My name is Charlie Pratt and I’m quite a special guy. I’m almost 2 years old and I’ve been through a lot since I was born. Right after birth, I was very sleepy, shakey, and couldn’t eat. I was soon admitted to the scary NICU where I had to be under bright lights and have constant care. It took me awhile, but eventually I was able to eat some and could finally go to my new home. I was so excited to not have cords and monitors on me all day, I was free and everything was finally going to be ok!”
Unfortunately, this was not the case. Around four months, we noticed strange movements in Charlie and his weight began to plummet. We started Occupational Therapy and after several months of little change, consistent crying, weight loss, and large developmental delays we took Charlie to a specialist at Riley. At seven months, we heard what no parent wants to hear, that Charlie had suffered hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in utero which caused him to suffer brain damage. This damage resulted in his diagnosis of spastic quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, and global developmental delay.
The doctors recommended we see a full team of therapists, PT, OT, and Speech. While we did see changes with these therapies, we became concerned it was not enough, as by one year, Charlie still couldn’t do much of anything. He was not rolling, talking, or eating as thought he should. Around April 2017, my mom and I attended a seminar that would change Charlie’s life forever. The seminar was about a different type of treatment for people who suffer from neurological conditions. The method is known as the Anat Baniel Method and we encourage you to research this powerful approach to traditional therapies. We began ABM in July 2017 and have seen amazing transformations in Charlie’s progress. So much, that I (mom) am currently enrolled in the ABM training program to become a practitioner myself!
Although ABM has given Charlie possibilities we never imagined, it is currently not covered by insurance and must be payed out of pocket. Until clinical trials are completed, this will remain an uncoverable expense. After visiting the ABM center in California, the practitioners recommended Charlie receive lessons on a monthly basis per his condition. Lessons are typically done twice a day for 3-5 days. On average, lessons can range in price from $65-220, depending on the practitioner. This does not include costs for travel, lodging, and food.
After starting ABM, Charlie is now able to roll over, has better head control, is making many new sounds, and is growing and gaining weight! Charlie is very smart and cognitively aware, but his physical limitations are great. It has given our family a new found hope that Charlie will not be limited by his disability. ABM does not guarantee that he will walk, run, and do everything a typical child does, but it certainly has provided him with the basis to achieve his greatest potential. It is our goal to keep providing Charlie the best opportunities as any parents would.
There are several ways to help. Donations are appreciated, however, we understand financial constraints. It is also important to us that more people learn about ABM and to spread awareness of both ABM and Cerebral Palsy. Please visit:
www.anatbanielmethod.com
www.CerebralPalsy.org
Thank you for taking the time to read our story.
-The Pratt Family
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle, the other is as though everything is a miracle.” -Albert Einstein
“My name is Charlie Pratt and I’m quite a special guy. I’m almost 2 years old and I’ve been through a lot since I was born. Right after birth, I was very sleepy, shakey, and couldn’t eat. I was soon admitted to the scary NICU where I had to be under bright lights and have constant care. It took me awhile, but eventually I was able to eat some and could finally go to my new home. I was so excited to not have cords and monitors on me all day, I was free and everything was finally going to be ok!”
Unfortunately, this was not the case. Around four months, we noticed strange movements in Charlie and his weight began to plummet. We started Occupational Therapy and after several months of little change, consistent crying, weight loss, and large developmental delays we took Charlie to a specialist at Riley. At seven months, we heard what no parent wants to hear, that Charlie had suffered hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in utero which caused him to suffer brain damage. This damage resulted in his diagnosis of spastic quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, and global developmental delay.
The doctors recommended we see a full team of therapists, PT, OT, and Speech. While we did see changes with these therapies, we became concerned it was not enough, as by one year, Charlie still couldn’t do much of anything. He was not rolling, talking, or eating as thought he should. Around April 2017, my mom and I attended a seminar that would change Charlie’s life forever. The seminar was about a different type of treatment for people who suffer from neurological conditions. The method is known as the Anat Baniel Method and we encourage you to research this powerful approach to traditional therapies. We began ABM in July 2017 and have seen amazing transformations in Charlie’s progress. So much, that I (mom) am currently enrolled in the ABM training program to become a practitioner myself!
Although ABM has given Charlie possibilities we never imagined, it is currently not covered by insurance and must be payed out of pocket. Until clinical trials are completed, this will remain an uncoverable expense. After visiting the ABM center in California, the practitioners recommended Charlie receive lessons on a monthly basis per his condition. Lessons are typically done twice a day for 3-5 days. On average, lessons can range in price from $65-220, depending on the practitioner. This does not include costs for travel, lodging, and food.
After starting ABM, Charlie is now able to roll over, has better head control, is making many new sounds, and is growing and gaining weight! Charlie is very smart and cognitively aware, but his physical limitations are great. It has given our family a new found hope that Charlie will not be limited by his disability. ABM does not guarantee that he will walk, run, and do everything a typical child does, but it certainly has provided him with the basis to achieve his greatest potential. It is our goal to keep providing Charlie the best opportunities as any parents would.
There are several ways to help. Donations are appreciated, however, we understand financial constraints. It is also important to us that more people learn about ABM and to spread awareness of both ABM and Cerebral Palsy. Please visit:
www.anatbanielmethod.com
www.CerebralPalsy.org
Thank you for taking the time to read our story.
-The Pratt Family
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle, the other is as though everything is a miracle.” -Albert Einstein
Organizer
Anne Pratt
Organizer
Indianapolis, IN
