Francesca Reaches Greater and Greater Success! (Cerebral Palsy)

Francesca’s parents came to Doman International Institute when Francesca was nearly ten years old. At a very young age, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. When she was younger, she was unable to crawl on her belly nor creep on her hands and knees. She could move her limbs, but the quality of her movement was compromised due to spasticity in her knees. Her knees were bent and it was impossible for her to straighten them even a little, even if she used support to hold herself up. Since Francesca’s knees were bent for years, walking seemed improbable for her.

Apart from her physical challenges, Francesca was in school where her reading ability was below average and she also had seizures. Francesca’s parents have executed a consistent Doman Method® program of respiration, an academic and cognitive program, as well as a rigorous mobility development plan that involved creeping on hands and knees, patterning, and daily walking under Glenn’s ladder. In addition, our new Intense Tactile Stimulation program combined with an ancient ayurvedic technique have together helped to combat the rigidity in her knees.

The improvement in her brain-muscle connection is showing evident results! On the Doman Method® program, Francesca started to take her first steps. Six months ago, Francesca could take seven independent steps with one knee completely straight and the other knee very close to being straight. Within six months since her success with taking independent steps, Francesca demonstrated her new ability to walk from one room to another at her most recent visit at Doman International! Not only that, but she is now able to get up from sitting in the middle of the floor to standing up and beginning to walk all by herself, without using any support.

Francesca's balance has improved so much she is able to walk outside the house as well. How wonderful to see her walking with her family through her hometown! Francesca’s family works together as a team. Francesca's father is her main coach and under his coaching, Francesca’s problems have steadily improved. Her academics continue to improve and she remains seizure-free.

Francesca, her father, mother, and two sisters make a great team! Bravo!