(Both of his feet were turned up and in.) When he was 18 hours old he had his first surgery to close his spinal canal. Then, six days later, he had to have a ventricle shunt to drain the excess fluid which his spinal cord was producing. He stayed at Arkansas Children’s Hospital for a total of 6 months of his life. When the doctors were closing the spinal canal it was observed the nerves which controlled his bladder, bowels, and lower extremities were severely damaged. Tripp must wear leg braces with de-rotation straps to help him walk. If Tripp has to walk for a long period of time he has to use his wheel chair or forearm crutches to maneuver. As he grows older he will have to be more dependent on his wheelchair and crutches due to the degenerative nature of his condition. There is a treatment we applied for when he was in the womb and at the time the treatment was only for 18 years of age and up. Now, it is opened for all ages. However, this treatment is not covered under any insurance, and the treatment will help Tripp control of his bladder, bowels, restore feeling from his waist down, and allow him to walk up right. He will no longer have to use his wheelchair or forearm crutches for long distances and the procedure will give him a better quality of life.
