Hello from Plano!
We had a great visit with Dr. Jan Brunstrom-Hernandez and the team at 1 CP Place during
our visit to Plano, Texas. Even after 21 years of cerebral palsy “experience”,
we found out there’s still more we can do to help Kyra live her best life.
We first saw Dr. Jan at the cerebral palsy clinic she started
at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, but we hadn’t seen her since she made the
move to Texas. With Kyra’s transition out of high school, and her recent bouts
with pneumonia and other health issues, we thought it was time to seek out her
help again. 1 CP Place, Dr. Jan’s clinic
in Plano, Texas, is a unique medical clinic that specializes in treating children and
young adults with cerebral palsy.
Dr. Jan is passionate about defending and supporting the health,
dignity, and dreams of her patients because she lives with cerebral palsy
herself, and faces many of the same health challenges and stigmas that her patients
face. This summer, the intern at 1 CP Place is a bright, passionate pre-med
student, who also happens to be a former patient with cerebral palsy, and is
learning first-hand what it will take to prove herself as a talented medical
professional. I’m excited to see another young woman with “coolabilities”
pursue her passion, and I’m looking forward to hearing about the people she
impacts and inspires as she lives out her dream.
We first saw Dr. Jan at the cerebral palsy clinic she started
at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, but we hadn’t seen her since she made the
move to Texas. With Kyra’s transition out of high school, and her recent bouts
with pneumonia and other health issues, we thought it was time to seek out her
help again. 1 CP Place, Dr. Jan’s clinic
in Plano, Texas, is a unique medical clinic that specializes in treating children and
young adults with cerebral palsy.
At the beginning of her visit, Kyra used her
Tobii eye gaze communication device to talk with Dr. Jan about the people we
were visiting. She also showed off her ball-throwing technique and gave high-fives
to the 1 CP Place team. This initial phase of the appointment was captured on
video so Kyra’s current movement patterns can be reviewed, and compared with
future visits. Then, Dr. Jan performed a thorough neurological exam, and we
discussed Kyra’s nutritional intake, medical and therapeutic interventions, daily
activities, recent health issues, and future goals. Finally, we received specific recommendations
for adjusting Kyra’s medications and supplements to help her maintain emotional
balance and offset the negative effects of her seizure medication, and suggestions
for equipment and positioning to protect Kyra’s extremely thin bones and skin. We also received plenty of understanding and encouragement.
Dr. Jan is passionate about defending and supporting the health,
dignity, and dreams of her patients because she lives with cerebral palsy
herself, and faces many of the same health challenges and stigmas that her patients
face. This summer, the intern at 1 CP Place is a bright, passionate pre-med
student, who also happens to be a former patient with cerebral palsy, and is
learning first-hand what it will take to prove herself as a talented medical
professional. I’m excited to see another young woman with “coolabilities”
pursue her passion, and I’m looking forward to hearing about the people she
impacts and inspires as she lives out her dream.
If you’re looking for someone that will listen, observe,
evaluate, collaborate, and help you put all the CP pieces together for your
family, we highly recommend making the trip to 1 CP Place. You might even find
yourself on Dr. Jan’s “wall of fame”!
-- -- --
As we discussed Kyra’s need for additional iron and fiber,
Dr. Jan suggested blackstrap molasses (iron) and sweet potatoes (fiber), as
well as blueberries (vitamin C helps iron absorption). So, I’ve concocted a new “triple-sweet
breakfast smoothie” that includes these three powerful foods, and blends well
for sipping or g-tube feeding. The recipe below has about 350 calories, and is
rich in iron, fiber, protein, and taste!
Triple-Sweet Breakfast Smoothie
- 2 Tablespoons blackstrap molasses.
- ½ baked or steamed sweet potato, cooled. (I leave the skin on for more nutrition and flavor).
- 2 hard boiled eggs, cooled and chopped.
- ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries.
Peace,
Sara