Living with spasticity is an everyday challenge in our lives. My daughter Harym is eight years old and has spasticity related to cerebral palsy. Harym is a wonderful little girl and among the bravest individuals I know. She has a big and warm heart and is liked by everyone at her home school. In her own words: "I get popular by the minute…” In August 2002 Harym underwent surgery to implant the baclofen pump. Prior to the pump, everyday tasks were very difficult to accomplish with bathing and dressing being among the most difficult. Harym had a difficult time feeding herself, most of her food fell off her spoon before it even got to her mouth. She was unable to bring her sippy cup up to her mouth to drink. She required assistance for all her feedings, which took up to an hour. She knew what she needed to do and how she needed to do it but her tight muscles would not let her. Spasticity affected her gross motor skills like standing, sitting, and walking. Today, two years after her surgery, Harym's body and abilities have changed as well as our life as a family. Shortly after her surgery, Harym mentioned that she felt a difference in her muscles, that she felt more relaxed. It is very gratifying to hear her say: "Look mom/dad I can do it!” Harym showers shorter and easier, and she assists with her dressing. She helps put her head and arms through her shirt and picks up her bottom to change her diapers and puts on her pants. Harym also is feeding herself now within a maximum of 30 minutes. She can sit by herself on various places to play with her baby sister and she has even learned to ride an adapted bike. Living with spasticity is an everyday challenge that we have learned to deal with as a family and caregivers of a child with spasticity. We have learned to make difficult decisions that will benefit Harym in the future, and we live knowing that we will be faced with many more in the years to come. Overall, we are very blessed to have this precious little girl in our lives. She has taught us what many other parents don’t have the opportunity to learn and appreciate. We do not take the simplest things in life for granted. Spasticity is a challenge we will defeat.
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 Important Safety Information Related to ITB Therapy and the SynchroMed II System
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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