I became a Parent Mentor to offer support and encouragement to families of children that are experiencing traumatic brain injury, brain tumors or similar diagnosis.
My husband and I brought our then 8-year-old son Anthony to the Akron Children’s ER for loss of balance and right hand tremor. He had an MRI and was diagnosed with a cerebellar brain tumor and hydrocephalus. He had a VP shunt placed the next day and tumor resection surgery two days later.
Post surgery, he developed posterior fossa syndrome and lost the ability to speak and move his body. This was the most difficult part of his and our journey. He then participated in the rehabilitation program. Daily, from 8am to 4:30pm, he worked with OT, PT, speech and cognitive behavioral therapists to learn how to use his body again and cope with the changes and difficulties he was experiencing.
Our son has made a remarkable recovery. He still has right side dysmetria and dystaxia but is riding his bicycle again, playing with friends and doing well in school. He receives CB Therapy and OT at Akron Children’s and in our local school district.
I hope that I can offer advice to parents when it is time for their children to transition back to school. I am very familiar with the IEP process, Ohio Special Education and Disability Rights, IDEA and other groups and resources.
Our family participates in the Akron Children’s radiothon each year. We want to inspire others with our son's story, and it's a chance for us to remember that great things can come from great difficulties.
Laureen is a parent mentor for these conditions: Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors, Brain Tumor, Depression, Hydrocephalus, Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma, Posterior Fossa Syndrome.
Laureen is a mentor for these care services: Cancer, Mental Health, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Rehab, Surgery, Trauma
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