Is Constraint Induced Therapy Right for Your Child?

You may have heard the term Constraint Induced Therapy (CIT) in a special-needs moms’ circle or during a therapy session with your child. Perhaps you’ve heard of its potential benefits in recent news stories. How much do you really know about CIT, and how do you determine if it’s right for your child?
 

Constraint Induced Therapy Defined

Pediatric Constraint Induced Movement Therapy or CIT is a type of treatment that teaches the brain to “rewire” itself following a brain injury. The focus is to restrict a child’s good extremity (arm, hand, leg, etc.) in order to force usage and improved function of the extremity needing rehabilitation. CIT often involves intensive training of the more-impaired extremity for a certain number of hours per day for a designated period of time. Children with a more severe level of spasticity or mobility impairment may require more daily hours of constraint and a longer period of intense therapy.

The CI Research Institute states that Constraint Induced Movement Therapy is the only rehabilitation technique shown to markedly change the organization of activity in the brain. Various studies have shown favorable outcomes suggesting that CIT may be a useful tool in the treatment of upper-extremity dysfunction in hemiplegic CP and other forms of CP.

Depending on the specific goals and level of achievement, it may take multiple sessions to realize the intended benefit.  Remember, you’re re-training the brain!!! Be patient.
 

Is Your Child a Candidate?

CIT is not appropriate for every child with cerebral palsy. Talk with your pediatrician, therapists and orthopaedic specialist to discuss whether or not your child could achieve positive results from Constraint Induced Movement Therapy.

Your child will need to be monitored throughout the course of treatment to check for any complications. Discuss with your therapist what “trouble signs” you need to look for, such as chafing, rash or skin breakdown with the restrained limb. Check fingers and toes to make sure there’s no impediment of blood flow as a result of a cast or restraining device that is too tight.
 

Goals

Your therapist should have a Care Plan mapped out, detailing the specifics of your child’s therapy plan, including hours per day, additional therapies being implemented and the overall duration of the CIT sessions. Request a copy of the Plan. You may want to create a chart or journal tracking and annotating your child’s daily sessions. Detail the length of time the constraint device is used and what skills your childed work on during the session.  Make notes of improvement and struggles.  This will give the therapist a better picture of your child’s progress or need for additional assistance.
 

Coping Mechanisms

What is CIT like for a child? Here’s an analogy. If you’re right-handed, imagine someone casting that hand, forcing you to do everything with your left! Keep in mind, you probably have normal abilities and range of motion in your left hand. What if you didn’t? What if you had no good function in your left hand and now your right hand is immobilized! While adults you have the maturity and psychological skills to cope with frustration, many children do not. Couple that with a child’s immaturity and possibly an inability to communicate and you can imagine the reaction your child may have to this type of therapy.

There will be tears! Ask your therapist how to help your child establish coping mechanisms and ways to help your child get past the frustration. Make it fun! Incorporate play therapy in your CIT sessions! You want these sessions to be productive and fun, not a screaming match between you and your child. For children with developmental disability and cognitive delay, discuss with the therapist the best ways to introduce this therapy to your child.

For children with the cognitive skills to understand, have your therapist help you explain to your child the concept and goals of the therapy. Explain the number of hours per day the constraint session will last and try to set a schedule that everyone can agree with. Be sure to consider whether or not any of the constraint hours will overlap hours your child is in school. You may want to start out small and work up. Also try to schedule hours when you can play an active roll in your child’s session. Pediatric therapy based on stringency is unrealistic. You need to be consistent but flexible. There may be days when your child just isn’t being cooperative, and you find yourself skipping an hour here or a day there. Discuss with your therapist some ideas that will give you flexibility for the unexpected.
 

Conclusion

As with any new therapy, consult your child’s doctors and care providers before embarking on a treatment plan. Do your research and weigh the benefits and risks before deciding whether or not Constraint Induced Therapy is right for your child.

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Learning to Embrace Life’s Little Moments

By Julie Ufema
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The holidays brought me an unimaginable gift this year. One that I never could have anticipated.
My Mom drove in from Maine and was able to join me as we volunteered to be ‘room mothers’ for my son Dane’s Christmas party. She was thrilled. I, admittedly, was apprehensive to say the least.
Earlier this year I was able to spend a day in the life of a kindergartner when my son’s home health aide called off sick, and although an invaluable experience, by the end of the day I was exhausted and happy to head home. But this would only take a couple of hours, and was a party to boot! I love a good party. How tough could it be?

Let the Party Begin

We walked into the classroom and all heads turned in our direction. Everyone now knew that I was Dane’s mom, an avid, amateur photographer and always willing to do something slightly unorthodox to meet my son’s special needs – two things that five-year-olds find highly entertaining.
The ‘head’ room mom announced that we would be making a Christmas ornament, reading a story and then playing some games. That seemed easy enough.
My mom and I set about opening up Popsicle sticks, squirting glue and sticking googly eyes where they belonged. Dane’s snowman looked like it was melting, but he’s never been one to follow the rules and I have never been one to make him.
The story was delightfully uneventful. The children all sat ‘crisscross-applesauce’ and listened with bated breath to find out if ‘Grumpy Santa’ would snap out of his funk and finish delivering his toys to all the good little girls and boys.

Game Time

Next up – the games! Dane squealed with delight and clapped his hands. A moment of terror swept over me. What games? How hard could they be? Dane has cerebral palsy, limited use of his hands and is in a wheelchair. It just hadn’t dawned on me that these ‘games’ might fall slightly outside of his wheelhouse. I so often forget that Dane is any different than anyone else that reality sometimes sneaks up on me.
And boy was this one a doozy! We were to push a Styrofoam ‘snowball’ the length of the classroom (and back!), with a wooden spoon, in an all-out, head to head relay race. When it came time to split into teams, I tried inconspicuously to hang back with Dane. Not a chance. The excited students pleaded with us, “Come on Dane!” “Dane, come be on our team!” “No, he’s closer to our side.  He should be on our team.”
As it had time and time before, my heart sank. I thought quickly, grabbed a piece of paper, rolled it up into a cone and handed it to Dane. “Here,” I said confidently.“You can be the director!”
My mother and the aides looked relieved. That should work for sure! Dane had definitely inherited my bossy pants gene and this should totally satiate his need to participate.
No dice. Out came the lip.
Before the first tear could fall I hurriedly unbuckled him from his wheelchair, mustered up all the strength I could, grabbed my 4-foot, 50 lb. baby boy and carried him over to the end of the line.

Part of the Team

Our turn came. I grabbed the wooden spoon, swooped down towards the ‘snowball’ and gave it all we had. I managed to give the ball one pretty decent whack, and with a couple more awkward and labored dips to the floor, we were just able to stumble across the finish line, dead last, to a raucous round of applause.
As I looked around the room I saw laughter, empathy and maybe just a little disbelief. I looked down at Dane and he grinned ear to ear. Panting, I trudged back over to my mom who quickly pushed Dane’s chair into position. She was smiling too.
She leaned into me, “We could see your bum.” She giggled.
“Won’t be the last time!” I laughed.
And it won’t be. I decided that from that day forward, I would attend all of Dane’s parties, not to protect him from disappointment, but to celebrate the moments that pass too quickly, often unseen by the adult eye. And if I have to show a little bum in the process, so be it. I’d rather teach my kids that to participate and risk looking foolish is always better than not participating at all.

About the Author

Julie Ufema lives in Central PA with her husband, Jason, in-laws and two sons. After deciding to start a family, Julie and Jason found themselves plagued with fertility problems. They had just about given up when their first son, Jett, was conceived. Julie and Jason were quickly blessed with a second son, Dane. Within days of Dane’s birth they received the shocking news that Dane had cerebral palsy and Jett was diagnosed with autism. Julie has written a narrative memoir chronicling the ups and downs of raising two children with special needs and continues to write and make films as time allows. Find her at www.julieufema.com and www.facebook.com/JulieUfemaWriter.

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When Raising a Special Needs Child, Keep it Fun!

By Denise D. Aggen

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When someone becomes a new parent, having a healthy and happy child is the first thing on their mind. Being a parent of a child with cerebral palsy can sometimes make a parent question themselves or their abilities to raise someone with special needs. I know when I became a parent at the age of 21, I thought maybe I had done something wrong in my life to be given a child with cerebral palsy. It was not until a stranger told me that I was not being punished, but I was actually chosen to be this special child’s parent because I was also the special one. I was going to be the rock for this child and help them become the best that they could be. Looking at my baby at that time, I saw no disabilities; I only saw her love for me.

Appreciate the Little Things in Life

My daughter has taught me to appreciate the little things in life. Many parents take for granted the different skills that a child learns as they develop, such as putting on their socks, or brushing their teeth. In my house, if my daughter learns a new thing, we celebrate with a happy dance with a lot of hooting and hollering. It takes a lot for someone who has cerebral palsy, depending on the case, to learn a new task or skill.

Currently, I am trying to get my daughter to stay in her own bed all night long. Now mind you, she is very cute coming into my room in the middle of the night with her little doll in her arm and her pillow in the other saying, “Mommy, I had a bad dream. Can I sleep with you?” That is just so precious. I need to be strong and put her back into her room and be stern with her, because a good habit is much easier for her to learn than a bad habit is to break.

Make It Fun

When trying to teach your child with cerebral palsy a new skill or task, make it fun for them. Create a calendar with a box full of stickers that they can pick from when they reach their goals. Go shopping together to pick out the calendar or the materials to make a calendar. Let them pick out the different stickers that they will be using to put on their special calendar. This will be a great treat for them and this will help them become even more excited to reach their goals.

In our house, my daughter can put a sticker on the calendar when she goes potty on the toilet, when she brushes her teeth and when she stays in her own bed all night. After so many stickers, she can choose from a list of prizes, such as going shopping for a new doll or new clothes. Everyone likes to have something to look forward to, and it can be exciting and fun for everyone in the family. Make it fun and enjoy the little things in life.

About the Author

Denise D. Aggen is the proud mother of two and an avid blogger. She writes both a personal blog and a blog called A Parent’s Precious Moments, which chronicles her life as the parent of a child with cerebral palsy. 

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Cerebral Palsy Forum Launch!

We are so excited to launch our new cerebral palsy forum, specifically designed to give the community a place to ask and answer questions about CP. Please take some time to sign up and share this important resource. Thank you all so much for being the community you are. Now go out there and keep spreading that positive vibe and amazing information!

http://www.cpfamilynetwork.org/cerebral-palsy-forum

Traditional vs. Special Education for Children with Cerebral Palsy

By John Lehman

Every parent wants their child to have a well-rounded education, and parents of children with cerebral palsy are no different. However, it can be difficult deciding what educational environment will best suit the needs of a child with CP. Some parents find that a special education program, with specially trained instructors, is the best environment for their child. Other children with cerebral palsy benefit more from attending a mainstream school. Of course, every child with cerebral palsy is different, and each option has its advantages and disadvantages.

Mainstream School

This type of school is best suited for children whose cerebral palsy is considered mild, and works best earlier in the child’s education rather than later. Some parents feel that a child with cerebral palsy learns social skills and grows emotionally in a mainstream educational environment. By interacting with non-disabled children, proponents of this option suggest that children with cerebral palsy will learn routine, everyday practices faster. Including children with cerebral palsy in a mainstream school can also be beneficial for non-disabled children, who can learn to develop empathy towards those who are different from them.

Usually, parents and teachers will develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to ensure that a child’s needs are attended to. During your child’s schooling years, they may receive physical therapy, speech therapy and special considerations during certain classes. For example, physical educational requirements will likely be different for your child than other children, depending on the severity of their cerebral palsy. These specialized programs can also be beneficial if your child has developed learning disabilities as a result of cerebral palsy.

Special Education

This kind of educational environment is great for children whose cerebral palsy is severe. Unlike mainstream school, a special education system will often have instructors specifically trained to teach a variety of children with disabilities, including those with cerebral palsy. In a special school program, the school’s curriculum is tailored directly to each child’s needs, eliminating the worry that a mainstream school might move too fast for your child.

That is not to say that a child with severe cerebral palsy cannot utilize classes offered by a mainstream program. In fact, many disabled children in a special education program will take art or musical classes at a mainstream school while receiving math, writing and other common classes at their special school program.  Depending on the severity of their condition, some children may receive special education for only specific subjects and use a mainstream school for the majority of their education.

When deciding which educational environment is appropriate for your child, it is important to know that you are not alone. Your child’s teachers, doctors and therapists are all available to assist you and your child as best they can. By working together, you can ensure that your child receives the educational support they need.

Resources:

Education & Society – Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy World – Education

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Psychotherapy for Children Diagnosed with 
Cerebral Palsy

By Drew Dillard

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The causes of cerebral palsy (CP) are both many and unknown, and no two people diagnosed with CP endure identical situations. However, at one point or another, nearly all people with cerebral palsy will face emotional and psychological challenges regarding the limitations CP has placed upon them. Let’s explore the types of psychotherapy available and how they might benefit your child.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a general term referring to therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between a trained professional and a patient in an effort to improve that person’s sense of well-being, coping skills, communication skills and general disposition in the navigation of life’s challenges. It is different from therapeutic disciplines such as physical, speech & language, music & dance, occupational and play therapy, but is an important part of the overall care plan for your CP child.

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy uses psychological techniques that encourage the mastery of tasks. It is rooted in the belief that responses to emotional challenges and negative behaviors are learned and can therefore ne changed through therapy. Children do not yet possess the cognitive ability to process all that goes on with their thoughts and emotions, much less the ability to clearly communicate them. Psychotherapists are trained in identifying troubling situations, helping that child explore the thoughts, emotions and beliefs surrounding that situation, then helping the them acquire skills that will allow them to respond in a more effective and beneficial manner.

The activities used in behavioral therapy vary greatly depending on the abilities of the child and the problem behavior being addressed. Activities can be designed to teach completing tasks, managing emotions, resolving conflicts, delaying gratification and any number of other basic life skills. Behavioral therapy can help alleviate depression, mood swings, sadness, loss, anger and frustration by allowing previous negative outcomes to be replaced with a more positive perspective.

Counseling or Talk Therapy

As they get older, children with cerebral palsy will likely feel ostracized by peers, isolated from friendships, embarrassed by body image and/or frustrated with treatment goals. This may be a good time to introduce them to “counseling” or “talk therapy,” where they can talk about the things that are bothering them and learn to put them in perspective. It differs from behavioral therapy in that the goals are more along the lines of learning to accept and embrace one’s individuality rather than of raw behavior modification.

Even the most “normal” young person faces daily psychological and emotional challenges. Your hopes for your child at this age won’t differ much from that of any other parent. You want your child to cultivate a healthy attitude toward his or her challenges and to acquire the basic tools that will carry them into adulthood.  Many adolescents and teens see therapists to help process these complicated years. The right therapist can work wonders.

Social and Group Therapy

Individuals with physical or cognitive limitations often face real, and sometimes self-imposed, challenges in building relationships. Difficulties in communicating, fitting in or feeling accepted can lead to delays in social, emotional and even physical development.

Social therapy, introduced in the late 1970’s, helps children learn and embrace strategies that will help them develop friendships as they grow older by participating in group therapeutic settings. This decreases their sense of loneliness, isolation and stress. Social therapy focuses on the health and welfare of the individual as an integral part of a group dynamic. This relational approach helps children integrate into society and understand their role within.

Children with Mild Cerebral Palsy

Mild forms of cerebral palsy are often more difficult to detect and diagnose. Sometimes this leads to missed opportunities to introduce early-intervention corrective treatments, including those of a psychological nature. Undiagnosed abnormalities are often more emotionally troubling than diagnosed ones. If a child’s family and doctors don’t know what’s going on, it can be frustrating and confusing for the child.

A child that only exhibits minor physical impediments, such as issues of balance and coordination, may be completely normal in every other way. This can easily affect the child’s self-esteem. Also, children with minor physical or intellectual limitations are actually more likely to be teased and bullied for it than a child with an overt disability. Likewise, recent studies have shown that children with even minor learning disabilities benefit as much from treating the emotional component of the condition as with remediation of the learning disability itself.

It Takes a Village

It is important that parents and caregivers remain fully involved in the child’s therapies, especially with pre-teens. Caregivers need to understand and practice the positive behavior modifications learned in therapy to be able to recognize attention disorders, identify stressors, prevent meltdowns and minimize triggers all in an effort to reinforce a child’s progress.

Parents, caregivers and children with CP can all benefit from the positive interactions achieved with psychotherapy to compassionately, respectfully and appropriately interact with each other in a stable, secure and happy environment.

Resources

4therapy.com

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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Does it Work for Children with Cerebral Palsy?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Does it Work?

By John Lehman
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is commonly used to treat scuba divers with the bends, but recently, the therapy has been used to treat certain types of cerebral palsy, as well. Opinions vary as to whether or not HBOT is an effective treatment for children with cerebral palsy. Some research has shown improvements in motor, verbal and visual skills. However, others feel there isn’t enough conclusive data to recommend it to people with cerebral palsy. We’ll review both sides of the argument to help you decide if HBOT is the right treatment for your child.

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

When using HBOT, the patient enters a specialized room or a glass chamber designed for manipulating air pressure. The procedure is painless and patients can wear comfortable clothes, listen to the radio, read or watch television while inside the room. The average session lasts roughly an hour, including decompression once the session has finished.
Once the patient is inside, the room is sealed and the air pressure within is raised to a point where the patient is breathing 100 percent oxygen. In comparison, the air you are breathing right now contains approximately 20 percent oxygen. Increasing the air pressure in this way allows for the lungs to take in three times as much oxygen as they normally would. With more oxygen intake within the body, damaged or disabled cells can be regenerated and potentially given a second chance to become functional again.

Are There Any Risks?

As with any medical procedure, risks do exist when using HBOT. Patients undergoing HBOT may experience barotrauma, a form of ear damage related to changes in pressure. The medical practitioner on site should be able to advise you on how to reduce health issues related to compression and decompression, which should prevent this from occurring. Other issues associated with HBOT include oxygen toxicity, headaches or fatigue. Thankfully, these risks are not very common.

Does it Really Work?

HBOT is a controversial treatment for those with cerebral palsy. Within the last decade, many studies have been conducted and results have varied. In 1999, a study was published by researchers at McGill University to test the effectiveness of HBOT in children with cerebral palsy. The study took 25 children with cerebral palsy, who each underwent 20 sessions of HBOT over a month-long period. Follow-up tests concluded that 67 percent of the children showed improvement in movement and a reduction in muscle spasticity.
However, a study from Canada in the late 1980’s was met with skepticism. The study gathered 473 children afflicted with spastic cerebral palsy and administered 20 one-hour sessions of the therapy to 230 children within the group. Upon reevaluation after six months, roughly 75% of the treated children had improved balance and a lowered frequency of convulsions.
The controversy stems from the remaining 243 children who were grouped into a placebo study. Unlike standard placebo studies, these 243 children were treated with a reduced version of HBOT, using 1.3 atmospheres of pressure as opposed to the 1.7 atmospheres of pressure used for the original 230. This has led some researchers to claim that the study did not use a true placebo. An article written by Pierre Marois provides further details regarding this controversy.
Even today, research is ongoing in regards to the effectiveness of HBOT for cerebral palsy. While more studies are published demonstrating improvement in the quality of life for those treated, others point out that the treatment does not cure cerebral palsy and that the effects of HBOT are not permanent. HBOT can also be a costly procedure and, therefore, may not be available for all families whose children have cerebral palsy. In any case, it’s best to speak to your child’s doctor about HBOT to see if the treatment is worth trying for your child.

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Cerebral Palsy Survival Guide

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Christmas iPad, Digital Books Open New World of Learning

Did you give your child an iPad for Christmas? Will they be using it for school work? Are you struggling with where to find educational books online that aren't wildly expensive? Our good friend Valerie Chernek has provided us with an amazing resource for those looking for free textbooks for their children to read on the iPad. Read all about digital learning and where to find high quality e-books for free in our latest blog!

http://www.cpfamilynetwork.org/blogs/ipad-opens-new-world-of-learning

Students Visit Classmate With Cerebral Palsy

Students who found out their classmate with cerebral palsy was too sick to attend class decided they would just bring the class to him! Read more about this beautiful act of kindness in our latest "In The News" story.

http://www.cpfamilynetwork.org/in-the-news/students-visit-classmate-with-cerebral-palsy

Cerebral Palsy Doesn’t Stop Man From Being Adrenaline Addict

Our latest "In The News" story highlights a young man with cerebral palsy who wouldn't let being in a wheelchair stop him from being a thrill-seeker. Andrew Giffin proves just because you are disabled doesn't mean you can't lead a life full of adventure.

http://www.cpfamilynetwork.org/in-the-news/cerebral-palsy-doesnt-stop-man-from-being-adrenaline-addict

Joy Prom Allows Special Needs Students

Do you all know about Joy Prom? It is a unique prom created for children with special needs. It is a beautiful way to give special needs children a moment they may otherwise never get.

http://www.cpfamilynetwork.org/in-the-news/joy-prom-allows-special-needs-students

High School Senior Doesn’t Let Cerebral Palsy Slow Him Down

Doctors weren’t sure whether Ethan Schumann would live or die when he was born two months premature. Today Ethan is #1 in his high school senior class. Read more about Ethan and his inspirational story in our latest "In The News" story.

http://www.cpfamilynetwork.org/in-the-news/high-school-senior-doesnt-let-cerebral-palsy-slow-him-down

Young Man with Cerebral Palsy Transforms His Health

November 12, 2012
By Cathy Dyson

Sometimes, John Langin works out in a baggy old baseball shirt that means a lot to him.
Not because the name on the front is the “Braves,” though it suits Langin. He was born with cerebral palsy and fought to do the same things other kids did—then had to listen to them make fun of his disability.

The shirt reminds Langin how far he’s come.
He was 11 when he got it. He was so overweight, he needed an extra-extra-large adult size. Langin kept adding on the pounds until after high school, when he was inspired by a contestant on the TV show, “The Biggest Loser.”
He cut out snacks and ate more home-cooked meals, then sought a personal trainer to get in shape.
As a result, the 20-year-old lost 120 pounds in a year and gained the self-esteem he lacked as a youth. He’s able to do bench presses and squats, jog up stairs and jump from the floor to a box several inches off the ground.
“Hey, not bad for somebody who was not supposed to walk,” said Shane Miller, his personal trainer at American Family Fitness near Massaponax.

A GRIM DIAGNOSIS
Langin lives in Spotsylvania County with his mother, Carol. His father, John, died in 2010.
At 2, his parents were told he had been born with cerebral palsy, a disorder that can affect movement, learning, hearing, seeing and thinking.
Problems often are caused by an abnormality in the brain and develop in the womb. They also can happen any time during a baby’s first two years.
Langin had had a rare infection when he was 2 months old, and doctors weren’t sure if his problems were from the infection, cerebral palsy or both.
“At 5, they told me he would probably never walk or run or do more than be able to write his name,” his mother said. “They said I’d be lucky if he graduated from high school.”
His mother considered him lucky because he was more mobile than most cerebral palsy patients, though his gait was noticeably different.
Classmates were more than happy to point out the crooked way Langin walked and how he almost hopped when he tried to run. Kids made fun of how he wrote, too, and Langin said his big block lettering still looks like a third-grader’s.
Langin turned to food to try to make himself feel better after a long day of cruel comments.
“The bigger I got, the more depressed I got so the more I ate,” Langin said in a video he did with Miller about his transformation. “I would eat mozzarella sticks, snack cakes—you name it, I ate it.”
His mother knew how much he was suffering at school and let him raid the cupboards.
“I would do anything to make him happy, to make him feel loved, and food was great for that,” she said.
She later realized she was compounding the problem.
“His size is just as much my fault as anybody’s,” Carol Langin said. “I hope he learns from my mistakes You can’t find joy with food.”

A WORK IN PROGRESS
Langin weighed 320 pounds when he decided to lose weight. He dropped about 60 pounds on his own before heading to American Family Fitness in April of this year.
The membership director paired Langin and Miller—though Miller and Carol Langin believe God had a hand in bringing them together.
The two began with exercises that increased his range of motion, just as Miller would do with anyone who’s out of shape.
The trainer knew Langin had had numerous operations to correct issues related to his cerebral palsy. He wasn’t sure how much Langin could do—or if he could do certain movements at all.
Once he realized he could get all Langin’s muscles firing and joints working without hurting him, he turned on the heat.
The two have run sprints and climbed hills, rolled tractor-size tires in the parking lot and built up the strength in Langin’s legs, his weakest body part.
Miller has been amazed by how Langin’s body has responded. The young man who started workouts six months ago—on his butt, without bearing any weight or testing his core strength—regularly breaks his own records on rowing machines and with bench presses.
“How awesome is that?” Miller said. “Every day we work together, he is blowing my mind about what he is capable of doing.”
Langin routinely gets to the gym 30 minutes ahead of his session with Miller so he’s warmed up and ready. He regularly stays after and comes in at least once a day on his own.
His mother says he has the highest tolerance for pain of anyone she knows. Miller regularly asks Langin if he’s hurting, especially after he did 60 “junkyard dog pushups” when he had 30 pounds of chains hanging from his neck. Langin repeatedly swore that he wasn’t sore.
Miller has to insist that Langin take a day of rest to allow his body to heal.
“I think he’s the only client I’ve ever told not to come to the gym,” Miller said.

‘A LIGHT BULB WENT OFF’
Miller cited several examples of Langin’s willingness to change any aspect of his diet or workout routine.
Miller suggested eating more vegetables—beyond corn, green beans and mashed potatoes. Langin sampled zucchini, acorn, butternut and yellow squash. He missed pasta, so his mother substituted spaghetti squash for angel-hair noodles, and Langin said he can’t tell the difference.
One day, Miller encouraged Langin to try three new machines in the workout area. The next time the two went to the machines, Langin had been on every apparatus in the place—and there are several hundred different pieces.
“He really will do whatever it takes,” Miller said.
Langin’s mother said it’s part of his tunnel vision. When something catches his interest, he gives it his entire focus.
Langin, who gets Social Security for his disability, decided to focus this year on getting fit. Next, he’ll set his sights on becoming a personal trainer.
“It’s like a light bulb went off in his head, and it burns every day,” his mother said. “Some days, brighter than others.”

‘NEVER BEEN HAPPIER’
Miller doesn’t refer to Langin as the guy with cerebral palsy or the one who lost 120 pounds.
“I describe him as the guy with no excuses,” he said.
He’s heard other trainers fuss at clients for not giving it their all. When Langin is on the floor, working out next to someone who is struggling, another trainer will point at Langin and say to his client, “He’s got cerebral palsy? What’s your excuse?”
Another trainer, who saw Langin on the stairs, nodded and said, “What’s up, superstar?”
Langin, who graduated from Courtland High School in 2011, recently worked out with some fellow graduates. Joshua Bailey and Peter Garrison played football at Courtland and were among the few who looked out for Langin in school.
“We all knew he had knee problems,” said Bailey, adding he had no idea Langin had the wherewithal to make such life changes. “You impressed me, John.”
Garrison called him “awesome.”
That interaction wouldn’t have happened 100 pounds ago, Miller said. Langin wouldn’t have seen the two in the gym or had the confidence to work out with them, the trainer said.
“People can’t believe the changes I’ve made,” Langin said, smiling. “I’ve never been happier in my life.”
John Langin had his motivation tattooed inside both forearms. “Determination–Dedication” is on one side, and “I only get this one body” on another. Langin has six goals:

• 1. To become a personal trainer.
• 2. To compete in a CrossFit event, which would test his overall fitness and strength.
• 3. To be under 200 pounds, “just to see it on the scale.”
• He hit 200 last week.
• 4. To tone up a little more.
• 5. To get to the peak of Old Rag Mountain. He and trainer Shane Miller made it 4 miles up, then had to turn around because they were pressed for time.
• 6. To run–walk a marathon.
  

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Ashton Kutcher’s Twin Brother Michael Advocates For Cerebral Palsy

October 1st, 2012
By Kris Kitto

Until now, Michael Kutcher has been known as famous actor Ashton Kutcher’s twin brother. Michael, who was born with cerebral palsy, is determined to change the current disability funding model. He made a huge step towards that goal by visiting congress this year, on behalf of the Reaching for the Stars foundation.

Here are 20 questions asked to Michael about his involvement with the cerebral palsy community and his preparation for meeting with congress.

Why have you decided to lobby Congress?
I’ve found that the disparity between cerebral palsy funding and funding for other disorders is actually pretty unsettling for me. On a personal level, I want to be able to find a cure for it. I’ll be 33 years old, and I’ve lived with it all of my life. So there may not be hope to help me, but there’s definitely hope to help others out there and children who are going through a rough time in their younger years.

What are you asking Congress for?
We’re asking for them to dedicate $10 million toward the [National Institutes of Health] and [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)]. There are more than 800,000 people with cerebral palsy in the U.S. today — one in 278 children [is] affected by cerebral palsy — and there’s no line item in CDC funding at all. 


Are you interested in politics?
I like to keep up on politics and especially foreign affairs. I’m big into the whole Iran controversy as well as North Korea. A lot of people look at me weird when I can name off [President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad of Iran and [North Korea’s] Kim Jong-il as opposed to the quarterback of some football team.


What made you decide to speak out now?I’ve been asked to join organizations before … none have really hit home with me as much as Reaching for the Stars. I finally told myself that I’m a voice not only for myself for having cerebral palsy, but also for children who may not have to deal with some of the issues I had to deal with growing up. Being Ashton Kutcher’s brother, it gives me the opportunity to be that voice, and I realize that I needed to use the opportunity to help others. I feel very fortunate that I have a voice to be the voice for children. There may not be time to help me, but if we can find a cure, there may be a change to help those with cerebral palsy.

How does Cerebral Palsy affect you?
I have limited mobility in my right arm and my right hand. I have a very mild case of cerebral palsy. I wear glasses; I wear a hearing aid; I have slurred speech. To the naked eye, many people don’t know that I even have cerebral palsy because it’s so mild. But if you look at some of my friends who have more severe forms of CP — you’ll see some people in wheelchairs, inability to walk, inability to speak. I have a friend who has to use a machine to communicate with her parents.

Which members of Congress and White House officials are you meeting with?
We’re meeting with Kareem Dale, who is the president’s special assistant on disability policy, so that’s going to be a big meeting for us. Also, we’re meeting with one of Sen. Harkin’s advisers — my own senator, Harkin — who covers health on the Appropriations Committee. We are also meeting with Sen. [Chuck] Grassley’s [R-Iowa] team as well, the chief of healthcare there. I believe we’re meeting with Rep. [David] Loebsack [D-Iowa], my congressman, and possibly Rep. [Tom] Latham [R-Iowa] as well.


What did you do to prepare for your trip to Capitol Hill?
When I became involved with the organization, I wanted to make sure I had my facts straight. I did research on their organization as well as additional research on cerebral palsy. And I’m glad that I did. Even though I’ve had cerebral palsy for 32 years and had to deal with it, I’ve never understood the effects of it or the lack of support in the legislative forum. And that’s what’s driving me to Washington.


Have you ever considered a career in politics? 
I graduated with a major in business management and marketing and a minor in finance from Mount Mercy University. I’ve always told myself, as I became older and got more involved and my obsession of politics took hold, I always told myself that if I went back to school, I would pursue the opportunity to study political science. If the opportunity arose [to run for office], I would definitely look into it. This is my first step in going to Washington and entering the political arena, so it’s exciting right now.


We know your brother, but we don’t know much about you. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I work for one of the leading pension providers, Transamerica Retirement Services. I’m actually in a transition role right now — I’m a part of the internal sales division, but currently transferring to a management position. We sell 401(k) plans to small and mid-size markets.

I live in Cedar Rapids [Iowa], born and raised, I went to Mount Mercy University here. It’s a nice, humble place to live, and good to raise a family. I have a six-year-old son whom I raise. I enjoy all the activities that a parent would. I like to golf. I like to travel. Of course, it’s Iowa football season, so I’m rooting for the Hawkeyes. 


What was it like seeing your twin brother rise to international stardom?
It was great. I’m so proud of him and his efforts and I think they really send a powerful message … to anyone who has a dream. You look at a kid through high school and through college — all he wanted to do was act. That was his dream. Through one way or another, whether luck took hold or not, he found his way. He never gave up. He shot for his dreams. And that’s what makes me proud of him.


Any other plans to continue speaking about Cerebral Palsy?
Yes, definitely. I hope to continue my efforts on the Hill. I hope to be back next year and the following year until we see some changes in funding and make a difference.

Here is a fantastic video recap of Michael’s journey to the White House courtesy of KGAN.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uIR2whmYb1s

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States Get Millions To Train Special Educators

October 2nd, 2012
By Shaun Heasley

Nearly two dozen states will benefit from millions in new federal funding to improve training for those working with special education students in the nation’s schools.
The U.S. Department of Education says it is sending more than $24 million to 22 states. The funding is intended to help recruit and retain highly-qualified special educators, support teachers in blending the needs of those with disabilities and the new common core standards and train educators to utilize positive behavioral interventions and supports, among other initiatives.
“The quality of education our children with disabilities receive is dependent on how well-equipped the workforce is in supporting young people with disabilities,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in announcing the new money late last week. These grants will support states’ efforts to improve their training systems for staff, and better serve children with disabilities as a result.”
States receiving the new funds are required to partner with at least one higher education institution, a local education agency and either a Parent Training and Information Center or a Community Parent Resource Center to implement the funding.
Between $539,304 and $2.2 million will go to Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin.
The funding is part of the State Personnel Development Grants Program which is authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

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$30 Gadget Lets You Control Computer With Your Eyes

September 25^th, 2012

By Tom Levitt

Take two video-game console cameras and one pair of horn-rimmed glasses and for around $30 you have a device that will allow you to control a computer or, potentially, even a wheelchair with your eyes.

Previously, if you wanted to buy similar eye-tracking equipment it would have cost you upwards of $8,000. Now, scientists in London have pioneered a device, the GT3D, using components anyone of us can buy from the shopping mall.

 

The breakthrough could help millions of people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, muscular dystrophy and, potentially, opens the door to a new era of hands-free computers, allowing us to use them without a mouse, keyboard or touch screen.

For the lead researcher Dr Aldo Faisal, a neuroscientist at Imperial College in London, the new device only came about because of his obsession with disassembling gadgets.

"I like to play with gadgets and was playing with a popular video-game console," he said. "I hacked it and discovered it was very fast and better than any webcam for movement. Actually, it was so fast that I found we could record eye movement with it."

Tracking eye movement is no mean feat. Our eyes move 10 to 20 times a second, so a standard webcam or even film camera will miss most eye movements and where we are looking. As such, it is perhaps no surprise commercial eye-tracking devices are so expensive

Luckily for Faisal and his team of researchers, video game console makers have been willing to bulk buy the technology needed to make good enough cameras. They make a loss on the console cameras in the expectation of making it back on accompanying video game sales.

"We originally created the device for £39.80 ($64) but recent falls in the price of video game console cameras mean we could now actually make the same device for about £20 ($32)," says Faisal.

The eye-tracking device works by first establishing where the eyes are looking, through a relatively straight-forward calibration process. The user puts on the glasses, with the two attached cameras, and stares at a computer screen full of dots. They are then told to look at different dots, with software developed by the researchers working out how the eye looks at each dot.

Once calibrated, the device can be used to control a mouse on the screen and is so accurate that if you were in a normal-sized room and wearing the device it would be able to locate where you were looking to within the size of a grapefruit, say its developers.

Existing commercially available devices such as the Tobii PCEye and the EyeTech TM3 also allow users to control a computer with their eye instead of a mouse. Like the GT3D, they use two cameras and say they can be used to surf the web, send emails and do anything a handheld mouse can do -- but they are priced between around $5,000 and $7,000.

And if you search online, you will find many amateur attempts to create eye-tracking devices just like the GT3D. But Faisal says the difference with his is that it has been properly tested and proven to work -- a demonstration of his device has been published in the peer-reviewed journal BMC Neuroscience.

Unsurprisingly, the interest in his technology has been huge, he says. Several companies have already approached him to develop and mass-produce the device. However, Faisal says, none have so far embraced his ambition for making it available at a low cost to millions. Instead, they all preferred to undercut existing eye-tracking devices by 10%.

"My mission is that we forge technology with neurological science to find ways to help millions of people with disabilities, such as loss of limbs or muscular disorders, use technology in a cheap way," said Faisal. "We want to make sure people can buy the device for no more than £80 ($125)."

If no commercial partner comes forward within the next year or two, Faisal says they will publish all the information about their device and software online and make it freely available for anyone to replicate.

For many disability campaigners, such a device cannot come soon enough. "Those with extreme muscle-wastage in their arms often rely on carers to work on a computer, cannot position themselves comfortably at a keyboard and quickly suffer fatigue from typing," says Dr Marita Pohlschmidt, director of research at the UK-basedMuscular Dystrophy Campaign, who calls it a "potentially life-changing innovation."

"It also offers us an exciting glimpse of future possibilities -- optical control of hoists, beds, blinds, kitchen and entertainment equipment. The impact of recovering the independence to do such things for disabled people, their carers -- and for family life -- would be vast,' she adds.

Faisal says it would already be possible to control a wheelchair with their device. The main obstacle is how to differentiate between where someone is looking at where they actually want to move to in the wheelchair. He says this has been overcome by his researchers through the use of a wink as a command trigger. "We use a wink rather than a blink because you never wink by accident," explained Faisal.

However, while he can see its popularity for disabled or elderly people, Faisal remains uncertain about whether cheap eye-tracking devices are ready to take over from the mouse and touch-screen computers. "Perhaps it will bring in a new era of hands-free computers. But there is a problem in that the computer industry is moving towards touch systems with the iPad, so I'm not sure the mass-market is going to embrace eye-movement just yet. Also, I am not sure it is ready for use with complicated applications like, for example, Photoshop."

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