Bootcamp: Days 6 & 7

Levi has continued to rise to the challenges of this MNRI intensive therapy conference. This photo shows some of the important changes that will translate into everyday life.

Off O2

Brighter eyes

Softer mouth and jaw

Movement in shoulders, elbows, wrists

Open fingers

Unlocked thumbs

Longer torso

Front of chest is open and wider

More hip flexion = Sitting upright

Below is a photo of Levi one month Before Bootcamp. The transformation is remarkable.

On the day of this photo, Levi was off O2 for a few hours.

At Bootcamp he has been off for up to 24hours at a time. Each day he as spent several hours off O2 and done so through some of his hardest workouts.

In the photo he has a little softness in his elbow, mostly his arms are stiff from the spasticity.

Likewise his shoulders are tighter with no ease of movement.

His torso is shortened and crunched.

There is a momentary openness of the fingers while he is touching the toys.

His thumbs are still locked into his palms which is producing stress hormones and raising his Cortisol levels.

What you can't see in this photo is Levi is sitting in a much more reclined position. Due to the spasticity in his hips he is not able to flex (bend) easily in his hips which doesn't allow him to sit fully upright.

Check out this next movement sequence from Day 6 at Bootcamp. Never in my life have I seen Levi be able to move this way. He did so with ease and comfort. No resistant or tension. Just one be YES PLEASE

Huge open-body stretch across the body (Cross-lateral).

Closing the body with the hand touching the opposite knee.

Nkuku joined us on Day 6 for an opportunity to fine tune her MNRI skills. Each session she trained along a Specialist within each of the MNRI reflex programs. After a day full on hands-on in-depth training Nkuku was excited to be able to work with Levi again at home with his updated Home Program. Go Nkuku!

With each session we are seeing a greater increase in Levi's hip flexion (bending) and range of motion in his arms. Both are happening with greater ease, less spasticity, less stress responses, and lots of happy open fingers and happy cooing sounds. These are are very critical steps toward reducing his spasticity in full someday and opening the door to self-initiated movement.

Some of Levi's Doctors have said a reduction in his spasticity isn't possible without medicine or invasive surgery. Even then, there are questions about how long the medications will be effective, or if he could endure the surgery and recovery.

We are so grateful for Dr Masgutova and her MNRI Specialists whose work is having a lasting neurological impact in Levi's brain and body.