A NEWRY child is battling the odds to defy nature's cruel hand of fate with the help of a pioneering treatment programme at a specialist private therapy centre.
Two of Jim and Maria McCartan’s four daughters have a rare progressive genetic disorder called Rett's Syndrome, which affects around one in every 10,000 girls.
The Belfast Road family is currently one of only two in the UK to have two children that are not twins affected by the disorder. The odds of having two affected children from the same family is over a million to one.
At the end of 2008, the First Step Therapy Centre in Newry ran a competition for a free 180-hour intensive therapy programme for a disabled child. The competition drew a huge response with almost 4,000 nominations made to the company's website.
The McCartan family was determined that Michelle would not be as unfortunate as her older sister, who also has Rett's and is now confined to a wheelchair.
They put forward Michelle, who is now five and won the therapy with nearly 1,700 nominations made on her behalf.
“I couldn't believe it when I got the call from Jim at the First Step Therapy Centre. I’ve never won anything before and so it was so unexpected,” said mum Maria.
“We were delighted to be able to give Michelle this opportunity that could possibly change her life for the better.”
Since beginning her therapy 18 months ago Michelle unlike other children affected by Rett's has made remarkable progress, maintaining her skills and abilities and gaining new ones.
Her proud parents said she is much more alert and aware of her surroundings and other people.
“Her standing, sitting and kneeling balance is much improved, as is her grip strength, her overall core strength and physical conditioning,” Maria said. “Michelle now even gives us hugs which brings so much joy to the whole family.”
Michelle's life-changing treatment is expertly delivered by Gopalan Sivakumar, a Specialist Neurological Physiotherapist with over 20 years experience in dealing with complex neurological disorders.
Having seen for themselves the enormous benefits that the treatment has brought, the McCartans have decided to keep Michelle on the programme.
First Step Therapy is built around a core programme of exercise and strength training and is specifically designed for children and adults who have various neurological disorders such as Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Parkinson's, MS, rare genetic disorders or a Global Development Delay and who require intensive regular therapy to help improve or maintain their physical and cognitive abilities.
To arrange an initial consultation, contact the First Step Therapy Centre on Free Call 0800 56 77 560. For more see www.first-step-therapy.com