Madalyn W. Walker
Our beautiful daughter Madalyn’s journey begins even before birth. As her mother, I carry two, rare antibodies that can harm my unborn babies. These antibodies developed after I was hit by a car when I was 14 years old and required a blood transfusion.
During my pregnancy, Madalyn’s health was monitored closely with weekly ultrasounds and biophysical profiles. At 24 weeks it was determined that Madalyn should receive an intra-uterine blood transfusion. That transfusion was successful and the close monitoring continued. At 28 weeks she had another intra-uterine blood transfusion. That too, was successful. She was very active in utero and those tiny movements were my reassurance that she was thriving. My heart would flutter as I felt the flutter of her tiny limbs touching my womb. At 32 weeks I noticed less movement and contacted the perinatologist right away. I went down for another biophysical profile which looks at the baby in a very detailed fashion. She was doing OK but it was determined that we would undergo another intra-uterine blood transfusion. During the third transfusion, the doctors noticed that she seemed to be in distress. Due to the fact that we were 32 weeks along and she was measured to be nearly 4 pounds, the doctors quickly delivered her via emergency C-Section.
When she was born she was quiet and pale and not breathing well on her own. The neonatologist gave her chest compressions which lead to a sub capsular liver laceration. Within minutes of her birth the doctors transfused blood to her and her color improved immediately. Due to that laceration of her liver, she suffered many complications from poor blood flow throughout her body. Poor blood flow to her intestines resulted in Necrotizing Endercolitis. Poor blood flow to her brain caused PVL, the leading cause of Cerebral Palsy among preemies. Madalyn spent 6 long months in the NICU and was finally released when her feedings and growth were acceptable to the neonatologists.
From the very beginning, even when she was still in the NICU and, to this day, her spirit is strong and happy! Her smile, which is almost always present on her face, has been described as “heaven on Earth”. Her happy, silly personality, her beautiful smile and her determined nature has lifted me up at times when I was feeling low. Even though she has damage to the areas of her brain which affects her muscles, her intelligence and remarkable compassion for others continues to amaze everyone that meets her.
Through an undying determination to help Madalyn achieve independent walking, and endless hours of research on the internet, I learned that the Therasuit method and intensive physical therapy programs were helping kids like Madalyn achieve goals that traditional therapy methods could not. Imagine my elation when I learned of Therapies 4 Kids practicing so near to our home.
Through fund raisers and independent donations her intensive therapy has begun and the results are already apparent after one week. She has been completely functional with a reverse walker since the age of 2. Due to the continued tightening (weakening) of her legs muscles due to CP, her steps were slow and a bit labored. After one week at Therapies 4 Kids, her legs are getting strengthened, her balance is improving and her speech has increased. She has always been quite verbal. Now, each day after intensive therapy, she talks even more! She loves the “Super-Girl Suit and Shoes” that she gets to wear. She does not even recognize that she is “working” when she gets into the monkey cage due to the fact that she is having so much fun.
Madayln needs much more therapy. Our private insurance only covers 60 therapy visits (all disciplines) annually. By donating generously Madalyn might be able to achieve the independence that every child deserves.