Shaylie Beth
On July 17, 2005, Shaylie Beth, our beautiful daughter was born. Two days later our healthy baby girl was welcomed home by her parents and big brothers (Kyle, 6, and Dylan, 3). Shaylie Beth was an easygoing, sweet newborn. Then about 2 weeks later, she turned limp and blue, as life left her tiny body. Shaylie Beth died and returned to us 9 times on that day; we were informed that she was experiencing a “Terminal event” with “Catastrophic damage to her brain". We later learned that Shaylie Beth had suffered a major stroke, with the cause unknown to this day.
After a couple of weeks on life support, Shaylie Beth surprises the western medical staff. The support, love and prayers for her all around the world helped our miracle baby endure against the odds. Shaylie Beth was able to come home and with the support of her family and community, and with daily intensive early intervention, Shaylie Beth has continued on her path to recovery.
Today, Shaylie is a delightful, charming 2 year old. Her enchanting smile and laughter light up a room and touch many hearts. To know this magical child is to love her. Shaylie Beth has learned to talk, sing, use the potty, and endear herself to others. She still has some cortical visual impairment and is not yet able to stand alone or walk. Since she is a very bright little girl, Shaylie Beth is aware and frustrated by her limitations. We continue intensive interventions and know that Shaylie Beth will someday overcome these challenges too; and that she will continue to make a loving difference in the world.
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Shaylie's testimonial after Intensive Therapy
In the spring of 2007, Shaylie Beth underwent HBOT at the Ocean Hyperbaric Center in FL. We had found a treatment that worked, and Shaylie Beth's vision notably impr
oved.
In November 2007, we returned to FL for more HBOT. Shaylie Beth (age 2) had become an engaging, bright toddler; however, she still had visual impairments and her gross motor skills were progressing much slower than optimal. With this in mind, we decided to check out Therapies 4 Kids. The staff at Therapies 4 Kids kindly opened their schedule to last minute treat our daughter. Shaylie Beth completed four days of intensive PT with Therapies 4 Kids before we needed to leave FL. This time around, we saw not only improvements in vision but also increased strength and motor tone.
Encouraged by Shaylie Beth's gains at Therapies 4 Kids, we decided to seek a local intensive PT program so Shaylie Beth could try the recommended three weeks. Bright Steps Forward graciously helped us to raise money for therapy and to work with a Mid-Atlantic clinic that we had found. Everyone wanted to help our little angel.
In the three-week, intensive PT program, Shaylie Beth has made dramatic, life-changing progress. In the first week, Shaylie Beth learned to balance, standing by herself. By the end of the first week, Shaylie Beth had taken her first two independent steps. During the second week, Shaylie Beth consistently took 8-10 independent steps in each of her sessions, as well as improved her transitional gross motor skills and strength. Today (part way through the third week), Shaylie Beth took 18 independent steps to get to myself. She would have taken more steps, but I was backed up into a wall so she was able to reach me for a hug. Shaylie Beth was very proud of her accomplishment, indicating she took "eightteen steps to], my mama!" We are thrilled with the gains Shaylie Beth has made in this short period of time doing intensive PT with gifted, highly experienced therapists.
We feel extremely blessed to have found the Ocean Hyperbaric Center, Therapies 4 Kids, and this amazing PT clinic near home. We are very grateful to Bright Steps Forward and all the therapists for helping us turn Shaylie Beth's potential into reality.
Sharon Major