P A T I E N T  E X P E R I E N C E – A T A X I A

NAME: David Robert Blair     
       
COUNTRY: Scotland (Campbeltown) 

AGE: 33

DIAGNOSIS: Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1, diagnosed in April 1998.

REASON FOR COMING FOR TREATMENT:  David hoped to improve his balance, mobility and coordination, and to be able to play football with his kids. He also hoped to improve his speech.

TREATMENT: Umbilical Cord Stem Cell and Nerve Growth Factor Injections with Rehabilitation Therapy

START OF TREATMENT: March 5, 2007

FULL LENGTH VIDEO: (Youtube)

BEFORE THE TREATMENT:

See videos: Before1, Before2

David had unsteady balance and poor coordination. He could only stand up for a short time without support. He had difficulty walking heel-to-toe on flat surfaces, and could not walk up or down stairs without using a handrail. He had slurred speech when tired. He could flex his fingers and grip objects, but he could not hold things steadily.

AFTER THE TREATMENT:

David’s balance and coordination improved significantly. He was able to stand up straight with no support for extended periods. He was able to walk more easily than before on flat surfaces, and for the first time in seven years he could walk up and down stairs without a handrail. He could also go up and down stairs sideways, which he could not do before the treatment. His speech was no longer as slurred as before. He could also grip objects more steadily. This improved his writing and allowing him to perform day-to-day tasks which he could not do before treatment, such as tying his laces or drinking a cup of water by himself. As a result of these improvements, David was far more self-dependant than before. He was also more confident.

VIDEOS:

March 7th: Standing

March 9th: Stairs, Balance, Walking

March 13th: Coordination

March 14th: Balance

March 15th: Stairs

March 21st: Balance

March 23rd: Stairs

April 2nd: Coordination

April 3rd: Stairs, Walking

INTERVIEWS:

Interviews with David and his wife Karen, recorded after the treatment:

Improvements:

David, Karen1, Karen2

About the hospital:

David

PHOTOS: