NAME: Zachary

COUNTRY: Canada

AGE: 17

DIAGNOSIS: Friedreich's Ataxia

REASON FOR COMING FOR TREATMENT:
Zach was born with Friedreich's Ataxia, a rare genetic disorder. Friedreich's Ataxia results in progressive damage to neural tissue in the cerebellum, an area of the brain involved in controlling movement, and the spinal cord. This progressive damage results in motor function problems--such as a lack of balance and slurred speech. When Zach was about 12 years old he started to wobble while walking. As time went on Zach's condition became progressively worse. Though he started going to the gym almost every day, he continued to lose strength. On the internet he learned that other patients with Friedreich's Ataxia had successfully received treatment in China and he and his parents decided it was the right thing for him to do as well.

TREATMENT: Umbilical cord stem cell and nerve growth factor injections with rehabilitation therapy.

BEFORE THE TREATMENT:
Before the treatment started, Zach's main problem was controlling his balance. He could not walk at all unless someone was helping him or he had a wall or rail for support. Despite going to the gym five or six times a week his legs remained very weak. In addition, his fine motor skills were starting to decline. Zach also had problems with his speech. It was slurred and his teachers often had trouble understanding him at school.

AFTER THE TREATMENT:
Soon after his first stem cell treatments, Zach started seeing results. The first significant improvement he saw was that he was able to stand up, bend over and touch the floor, which he hadn't been able to do in three years. His overall strength improved and particularly the strength in his legs. His knees became more flexible, which made walking up and down stairs much more easy. His walking and balance also improved and he was able to walk by himself for short distances. His fine motor skills improved to the point that he was able to eat with chopsticks. His speech also became more clearer and stronger, so much so that his relatives could clearly hear his improvement when he called them back in Canada.