Natalie B's Surgery

Natalie is having a surgery called Selective Dorsal  Rhizotomy  specifically for kids with Cerebal Palsy on December 16th 2016. This procedure is to allow her to learn to walk independently. The surgery consists of removing the vertebra L2-5, exposing the nerves and performing an EMG (electromyographic) that tests the response of the muscles. They will then clip the nerves that show signs of specicity. This reduces or eliminates the message from the muscle resulting in better balance of activity of nerve cells in the spinal cord. On top of the obvious medical cost, there are underlying costs such as: a more spacious car to transport Natalie comfortably after the surgery (no car seat for miss B!), the gas to and from Ann Arbor, a week long stay in Ann Arbor while Natalie is in surgery, and extensive physical therapy here in Grand Rapids at Mary Free Bed for 6-8 weeks. There is also an MRI and C-Tscan with sedation Tuesday the 29th of November.