Our October 2009's Stroke Hero has been a friend of Brendon's Smile since our first Childhood Stroke Awareness Walk in 2007. His story reflects how the effects of childhood stroke can reach far beyond the initial neurological event.

Teddy was born after a very uneventful and typical pregnancy when his mother Suzanne was 29.  Little did she know what she or her husband Allan’s parenting experience would be like!  At birth Teddy had a temporary blood disorder, which destroyed his blood’s ability to clot.  When vacuum extraction was used to deliver him, a massive stroke resulted.

Suzanne and Allan learned of Teddy’s stroke when he was 2 days old in the NICU.  After visiting the neurologist Allan was told that based on the area of damage that Teddy would likely have left side hemiplegia.  Teddy’s parents were told to look for any neglect of his left arm or leg, and were assured that he wouldn’t be left-handed or be affected cognitively in any way.

At 4 months of age Teddy’s head started to take on an odd shape—it seemed to bow out above his right ear, where his stroke occurred.  After another MRI was done we found out what was going on:  the area of stroke was taking on cerebral spinal fluid and swelling up.  Because his skull was still soft and pliable it had simply bulged out where the fluid was building up.  Teddy had brain surgery on March 10, 2000 to drain the cyst.  Luckily the surgery was a great success and it seemed all our troubles were over.

Teddy and his parent’s lives went on from there as a typical family of first time parents and sweet natured little boy.  Teddy never showed left side neglect; in fact he was left-handed!  As he grew, Teddy was a pretty willful little fella!  The Terrible Two’s came and went and he met all his milestones. 

One day in March 2003 Teddy had been remarkably crabby all day, angry at everything and satisfied by nothing.  Thinking that giving him some cookies would help, his mother got out 2 and told him to grab one in each hand, as he always did.  He grabbed the first with his right hand, then stood there staring at Suzanne.  She took a good hard look at him.  The left side of Teddy’s mouth was drawn up in a lopsided grin, his eyes had a haunted look to them, and his left arm was totally limp at the side of his body.  When she lifted his left arm and let it go, there was no muscle control at all.  This lasted for about 30 seconds, after which Teddy was slowly able to use his arm again and for the rest of the day was in a wonderful mood.

After telling his neurologist what happened our fears were confirmed:  Teddy was having seizures.  Termed hemiparetic, they are a form of simple partial seizures.  Teddy’s parents say they’ve been lucky that medication has mostly controlled Teddy’s seizures and even helped with some of his behavior issues. 

Today, Teddy is a happy 9 year old proud to be in the 4th Grade.  He has some chAllanges that Suzanne and Allan never anticipated, such as learning disabilities, behavior issues, and social/emotional delays.  But despite all those things, Teddy is continually growing and learning.  His perseverance and strength define him as a fighter, always achieving what he puts his mind to.  And his sense of humor, natural charm and enthusiasm make him a minor celebrity at school. 

Suzanne states Brendon’s Smile is wonderful organization dedicated to building awareness of childhood and infant stroke.  Through Teddy’s story, The Kirbys hope that other families will get a glimpse of some of the chAllanges, and rewards, that face their family as they confront and overcome Teddy’s disabilities.

 

Because of his perseverance to meet and overcome each obstical placed in his path, yet never losing his childhood exuberance Teddy Kirby has been selected the October 2009 Stroke Hero of the Month!