Wow, the AACPDM meeting has just come to a close, and as I sit at the airport waiting for my return flight, I am beginning to reflect on this past week.

Finally research seems to be coming ever closer to a more tangible application that will prevent or repair brain damage that occurs in infancy (and results in cerebral palsy). Its like the smallest wisp of a flame that we are all fanning desperately to grow stronger and brighter. It is a promise so many of us have made to ourselves and the many families and children we serve – not to let that flame go out, and to finally have some sort of cure or definitive prevention.

Currently in process are ongoing stem cell transplant studies, the use of EPO in conjunction with this, and further exploration of glial scarring and neurotrophins. New this year was a great review of white and gray matter changes in response to injury – (not what we thought initially at all) and the response of injured cells in animal models to a variety of cellular level interventions.

I am left with a distinct feeling that things are going to get very exciting, very soon.

And yet….
Here we all are, at what seem to be virtually the same spot as last year and the year before. Still struggling to “manage” the sequelae of stiff limbs, weak muscles and all the other difficulties our lovely children face.
While it IS true, the bandaids we can produce ARE becoming bigger and better, they are still just that; bandaids. So, are our children with cerebral palsy better off yet? No.

Are we able to repair the cause of all the difficult things that happen later? No.

However, we ARE getting better at minimizing and limiting them. So, for now, it is something we can do-
While we all keep blowing on that flame.

Don’t give up. Don’t give in.

More later.

Deirdre