Meet our November Stroke Hero of the Month - Noah Bank

We had the opportunity to visit with the Banks Family during a trip to Florida in 2008.  Noah made such an impression that his selection as a HERO OF THE MONTH was inevitable.

Jill and Todd Banks’ first child was a beautiful daughter Aily.  They were so thrilled by the birth of Aily that they soon decided she needed a brother or sister.

In February 2005 they found out that Jill was pregnant with Noah.  Jill’s pregnancy with Noah was not without issues but nothing to warrant alarm.   

At 37 weeks Jill was advised that Noah was two weeks behind in his fetal development.  An ultrasound detected an abnormality in Noah’s kidneys, but the attending radiologist told the Banks that many people have the same issues and it might be nothing.  During routine blood work conducted prior to a C-section delivery, it was discovered that Jill’s blood platelets were too low.  As a precaution, Jill was admitted to the hospital 36 hours prior to the delivery for steroid injections to ensure clotting after the procedure, Noah was born on October 3, 2005; Jill said he was the most beautiful boy she had ever laid eyes on.  Noah’s Apgar Scores were good; the Banks were ecstatic to learn that they had another healthy baby.  Noah and Jill were sent home after their third day in the hospital as scheduled.    By all appearances, Noah was healthy even doing “baby push-ups” at 3 weeks.

At 6 months Jill noticed that Noah was not sitting up but instead appeared to be “tripod-ing”.  When Jill advised her physician, the doctor said that Noah simply had a “wobbly butt”.  Jill remembers being somewhat put off but happy that her worries were unfounded.  A month later Noah was sitting up by himself.  3 months later, the Banks noticed that Noah was  turning his right leg outward when he pulled himself up on furniture.  Again, Jill pointed this out to her doctor who this time sent Noah to a pediatric orthopedic surgeon.  The surgeon advised Jill that babies develop natural muscle relaxers to help with the birthing process; these muscle relaxers were most likely still in Noah’s system.  Again, the Bank’s concern’s were put to rest. 

At 12 months, Jill and her mother observed Noah failed to play with his right arm.  Jill stated Noah held his arm similar to a “broken wing”.  Noah’s doctor diagnosed “right arm neglect”; Noah was so used to using his left arm, he didn’t remember having a right one.  With a few months of therapy, he’d be fine.

During a therapy session, the physical therapist asked Jill if Noah had completed any neurological diagnostics.  Jill had said no, who needs neurological testing at 15 months?  Two weeks and two MRI’s later,    testing determined that Noah had SURVIVED a STROKE either in utero or shortly after birth.

Jump 5 years later:  countless physical, occupational and speech therapies, numerous doctor’s appointments, MRI’s and EEG’s,  ton’s of home play therapies and 3 years of pre-school later finds Noah doing great.   Walking at 22 months, Noah went straight into climbing 2 weeks later.  He’s slowly starting to talk, with several phrases and multiple three - word sentences.  Noah is able to make use of his right hand when reminded to, or when his left hand is restricted. 

A rough road lies in front of Noah; there are many more obstacles in his way.   Un-phased, Noah completes each session or challenge with a smile on his face, a hug for his therapist/teacher/parent/sister and a laugh straight from his heart.  Jill says that with all that Noah faces, he truly brightens the Bank’s days with each smile he gives!

Noah serves as an examle that out of adversity grow miracles. His achievements demonstrates what a miracle he and the other STROKE SURVIVORS truly are.

For these reasons and more, Noah Bank is our November 2010 Stroke Hero of the Month!