Hands for Maddie Appeal

"If you were born without wings, do nothing to prevent them growing"
-  Coco Chanel

Dear Friend,

We are asking for your support to raise critical funds for medical treatments and therapeutic services provided for our daughter, Madison Moura. Madison Rose and her twin Kevin Russell were born on May 31, 2005. Maddie had a stroke in utero, which caused Hemiplegia and Cerebral Palsy. Simultaneously, she suffered from Volkmann’s Contracture to her left forearm, rendering her left hand deformed with minimal use. In her three and a half years of life, Maddie has had fourteen surgeries. These surgeries and other procedures saved her arm from amputation, helped to reconstruct lost tissue, including bone, skin and muscle and provided some function. In addition, Maddie’s stroke caused right-sided partial paralysis and weakness, spasticity, vision loss and speech delays. Madison wears a brace on her right leg and receives Botox injections every 6 months to help overcome some of these symptoms. Madison receives therapy services every weekday and attends Pre-K at East Fairhaven Elementary School.

Unfortunately, there are many services not covered by health insurance that could be a benefit to Maddie. Maddie will also likely exhaust her occupational therapy benefits within the next couple of years even though her condition will present lifelong challenges. Our immediate need is to fund Constraint Induced Therapy (CIT) at Hasbro Children’s Rehabilitation Department beginning April 6, 2009. The cost of this therapy alone is $15,000 and must be paid before treatment can begin.

The Constraint Induced Therapy Program is an intense therapeutic program for children who have an asymmetrical clinical presentation resulting from a neurological impairment (in Maddie’s case a stroke). This approach involves constraint of Madison’s stronger left arm and hand using a lightweight cast. The casting is designed to limit use of the more functional side and thus help improve use of the weaker arm and hand. The program consists of twenty-one days of six-hour therapy sessions (total of 126 hours) over the course of four weeks. The therapy will be provided in Maddie’s natural environment beginning with her waking in the morning, continuing through her school day and typical daily activities. Family is encouraged to participate in the sessions and expected to continue to facilitate use of her right arm and hand before, after daily sessions, and on weekends as the cast remains on twenty-four hours per day.

Forcing Maddie’s use of her upper right extremities will encourage her brain to develop new pathways. Research has shown that this constraint therapy program, which is based on a similar program for adults, has significantly increased the children’s ability to use their weaker arm. Maddie’s participation is crucial because her left (good) hand is considered only a "helping hand” due to Volkmann’s Contracture. This makes it even more critical to give her as much ability in her right hand and arm as possible.

Madison’s life is full and joyous. Maddie loves to play with her doll Baby Becky, toy kitchen and has fun drawing. She makes really nice circles and her favorite color is purple. Anyone who knows Madison would agree that she's most happy at the beach, playing in the water and sifting sand through any one of her little shovels. There are so many challenges that Madison meets in a day. Maddie struggles with the things that you and I find easy: putting on her coat, zipping her pants, feeding herself, and pushing hair from her face. The simple task of carrying her toys takes all of her concentration.

Maddie is not defined by her limitations but by her indomitable spirit and tenacity! There are so many challenges that Madison has met but many more await her. Your contributions will help Maddie gain additional abilities and a sense of accomplishment in order to lead a more typical life.

We sincerely appreciate your generosity.

Gratefully,

Jennifer and Jason Moura

                                                   Donate Here!

Comments

[Kate]

way to go jenlee and lovely jason. good vibes and lots of dough will flow...

[Jason Moura]

Well, constraint therapy is underway!!! We have just returned from Hasbro Children's Hospital and Madison has a beautiful new purple cast. Linda, Madison's therapist, has just arrived at the house and we will begin Madison's first of many daily therapy sessions. Thanks to all who have helped to make this possible!! We will keep everyone updated on her progress over the coming weeks.

Jason and Jen

[Generic Viagra]

Hey Maddie your an angel.. Go ahead...