Meet Evelyn Moore, a two-and-a-half-year-old girl who refuses to let her paralysis define her.

Meet Evelyn Moore, a two-and-a-half-year-old girl who refuses to let her paralysis define her.

Meet Evelyn Moore: An example of overcoming, determination and unconventional thinking

Evelyn Moore, a two-and-a-half-year-old girl, refuses to let her paralysis define her. In 2016, she captured the hearts of many people when pictures of her deftly moving around in a homemade wheelchair went viral. Evelyn was diagnosed with cancer and was paralyzed below her arms at just four months old due to a tumor in her spine. Her story is a testament to resilience, determination and unconventional thinking. Her parents were steadfast in their belief that their daughter could achieve more than doctors had predicted and embarked on a mission to give her the therapy and support she needed.

After going through several rounds of chemotherapy that eventually caused her cancer to go into remission, Evelyn's parents were told she could get a wheelchair after her second birthday. But her parents refused to accept this prognosis and took matters into their own hands. Using a foam baby seat, a cutting board, and bicycle wheels, they crafted a unique wheelchair tailored specifically to Evelyn's needs. Despite the lack of adequate resources, Evelyn's parents were determined to make a difference in her life.

A journey of unconventional therapy and progress

Evelyn's incredible journey continued when she became the youngest client at the non-profit ReYu Paralysis Recovery Center in Edmonton. Co-founded by Bean Gill, the center focuses on activity-based training for individuals with spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, strokes, cerebral palsy, brain injuries and other neurological conditions. Gill, intrigued by Evelyn's story, offered her support. By using a treadmill, Evelyn spends almost an hour in physical therapy sessions three to five times a week. Despite not being able to walk on her own, she has made remarkable progress. The repetitive nature of the rehabilitation not only strengthened her muscles, but also improved her immune system and bladder control.

Nancy Morrow, a neuro-exercise specialist and co-founder of ReYu, emphasizes that repetition of exercises stimulates the spinal cord's patterns and encourages them to "wake up." In addition to the treadmill, Evelyn participates in various activities that are both fun and therapeutic. This includes playing with toys on the floor, breaks for juice, and even tantrums like a typical two-year-old. Morrow views Evelyn's therapy time as playtime with a purpose.

Better understanding of activity-based training in neurological diseases

Activity-based training (ABT) has proven to be a ray of hope for people with various neurological diseases such as spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, strokes, cerebral palsy and more. This innovative approach aims to revitalize neural connections, improve mobility and increase the overall quality of life of people with such challenges.

What is Activity Based Training?

Activity-based training is a therapeutic approach that focuses on performing specific physical activities or exercises. It is designed to activate the nervous system below the level of injury or impairment and to stimulate affected muscles and promote neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections.

How does ABT work?

ABT consists of intense, task-oriented exercises in which people perform repetitive movements or activities similar to everyday tasks. This can include activities such as standing, walking or cycling, tailored to each person's specific needs and abilities. The goal is to harness the body's innate ability to adapt and recover. By repeatedly activating neural connections through targeted exercises, ABT encourages the nervous system to form new connections and potentially restore lost functions or improve existing skills.

Application for various diseases:

Spinal Cord Injuries & Spina Bifida: ABT aims to improve muscle strength, stability and coordination and thus regain a certain level of functionality and independence.

Stroke & Brain Injuries: ABT focuses on rebuilding motor skills, balance and coordination to help people regain everyday tasks and movements.

Cerebral palsy & other neurological diseases: The tailored exercises in ABT are designed to improve muscle control, reduce spasticity and increase range of motion, resulting in a better quality of life.

Frequency and Engagement:

The frequency of ABT sessions is individualized to each person's specific condition, goals, and progress. However, regular and consistent attendance at sessions is crucial and often involves multiple sessions per week. Consistent engagement is key to maximizing the potential benefits and driving long-term improvements.

How can tumors lead to paralysis?

In rare cases, like Evelyn's, a tumor can lead to paralysis even after successful treatment. Here's a breakdown of how and why this happens:

1. Kompression:

– Spinal cord pressure: A tumor that grows within or near the spinal cord can put pressure on the spinal cord and disrupt the normal function of nerve fibers, affecting the transmission of signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
– Vertebral compression: Tumors within the vertebral bodies can weaken the bone structure, potentially leading to fractures and subsequent compression of the spinal cord.

1. Infiltration:
   Einige Tumore können direkt in das Rückenmarksgewebe eindringen und die Nervenfasern schädigen, was sich auf deren Fähigkeit zur Signalübertragung auswirken kann und so zu Lähmungen führt.

2. Risk to blood supply:
   Tumors can affect the blood supply to the spinal cord by squeezing or infiltrating blood vessels, which can lead to ischemia (insufficient blood supply). This can damage the spinal cord tissue and cause paralysis.

3. Inflammatory reaction:
   The body's immune and inflammatory response to the tumor can lead to swelling and inflammation, which can contribute to compression and damage to the spinal cord and nerve roots.

4. Secondary effects:
   The tumor's effects on surrounding bones, ligaments, and other structures can cause instability and alignment problems in the spine, which can also affect the spinal cord and nerves.

5. Neurological impairment:
   Depending on where in the spinal cord the tumor is located, it can cause different degrees and types of paralysis:

– Tumors in the upper spinal cord: Can lead to paraplegia (paralysis of all four limbs).
– Tumors in the lower spinal cord: May cause paraplegia (paralysis of the lower limbs).

Defy expectations and seize opportunities

Evelyn's progress is not limited to her sessions at the rehabilitation center. She also benefits from a special mobility belt called Upsee. With