Emmanuel's CP story

This story is a case of CP during birth, this unfortunately this is the most common one in Kenya, too much negligence in our labor wards. CP at birth happens when a child's brain lacks enough oxygen, can be due to prolonged labor as well.

"My name is Gladys Chelimo from Eldoret here in Kenya. My son Emmanuel developed CP at birth. This was as a result of prolonged labour(even after being induced) after exceeding the due date by about 2 weeks. The doctor said it was caused by Asphyxiation which causes damage to the brain. I remember the shock as the doctor broke the news to me a few hours after delivery that my baby would have a challenge attaining his milestones and i might have to raise him as a special needs child... i was numb, I couldn't even cry even for the two weeks he was in the Newborn unit. By the time we left the hospital he still wasn't able to breastfeed, he couldn't even cry( he did cry at about 2 months).His convulsions were mild and lasted about a week.

Although I knew from the start what to expect nothing really prepared me for this journey. I always told myself I had accepted it but deep down I knew it wasn't true. I was always paranoid and went to the hospital almost every week thinking he is getting sicker. Waking up in the middle of the night just to confirm he is still breathing fearing I might have covered his head and suffocated him.

He is totally reliant on us to do everything for him and the scariest moments are when he is not feeling well because it takes him back from the milestones he has achieved.

He is 3 years old now and hasn't quite achieved many of the milestones but we take one day at a time and just pray for good health. We continue with therapy and pray for the strength to fully accept things as they are. I shower him with all my love and I think that's the best thing we can do for our warriors."

353Mclins Cheusi Fitzgerald, Koi Elsa Jesse and 351 others

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