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

George's Blog: http://www.georgearruda.blogspot.com/

Full-length Youtube video: Youtube

NAME: George Arruda

COUNTRY: Canada

AGE: 33

DIAGNOSIS: Sporadic Spinocerebellar Ataxia 3, Machado-Joseph Disease (MJD) (May 2004)

REASON FOR COMING FOR TREATMENT: The patient was diagnosed with SCA type 3 - Machado-Joseph Disease (MJD) in January of 2002. His father and grandfather also had SCA3. His condition had progressed rapidly since diagnosis. He had heard about Kim Poor's successful treatment and decided try stem cell therapy.

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

START OF THE TREATMENT: January 1, 2007

BEFORE THE TREATMENT: The patient had severe loss of balance and coordination. This rendered him almost incapable of walking without support. He felt pain and weakness in his legs, often associated with a lack of tactile sensation. The videos document the patient's apparent clumsiness in walking (uncontrollable limbs) and coordination (catching a ball). He reported neurological complaints including double vision, eye spasms and dizziness, as well as physiological problems such as choking on his saliva.

Jan 3rd (Before): Parallel Walking, Rollator Walking, Walking with Help, Throwing Ball

Jan 10th (One Injection): Parallel Walking 1, Parallel Walking 2, Arms Out Walking

Jan 19th (Three Injections): Walking

Jan 23rd: (Four Injections): Walking Slope

Jan 29th: (Five Injections): Walking Arms Out Narrow

Jan 30th: (Five Injections): Walking Stairs

Jan 31st: (Five Injections): Walking Arms Out Slope, Throwing Ball, Walking Narrow, Walking, Summary, About Staff and Hospital

Update (Feb 18 - from an Email):

George is doing well. The walker is gathering dust as it just sits unused since our return. George is feeling stronger, and has not been sick, despite the fact that I came down with a nasty two week long cold. He managed to avoid it. He is able to get up and get going earlier in the morning, and his speech has been clearer and people have commented on how much easier he is to understand. He is not choking on his meals as often. He is exercising a little bit, but we still need to figure out some kind of a routine. For now he is doing a little bit on the treadmill each day and walking short distances.

Melissa and George