When “good enough” is not good enough

By Beth Miller, Outlook Magazine

CP advocacy to U.S. Congress: Janice E. Brunstrom, MD

When Janice E. Brunstrom, MD, opened the Washington University Pediatric Neurology Cerebral Palsy Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in 1998, she heard the same story over and over from parents of her patients who had difficulty with their vision. The parents were often told by other physicians that their child’s vision was “good enough” for a child with cerebral palsy (CP).

Brunstrom recalls one patient who had been examined by many ophthalmologists. Her parents had accepted that their daughter’s vision always would be poor. Brunstrom convinced the family to see just one more ophthalmologist — Lawrence Tychsen, MD. He found that the little girl was profoundly nearsighted, but amenable to treatment.

Stories like these motivate Brunstrom to advocate for more research into cerebral palsy’s causes, treatments and potential cures.

In testimony to the U.S. House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies – Committee on Appropriations earlier this year, Brunstrom asked the committee to allocate $10 million in 2007 to establish 10 cerebral palsy surveillance and epidemiology research sites nationwide.

The little girl Brunstrom insisted be examined by Tychsen had LASEK vision correction surgery shortly after her exam. One year later, her vision is now 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other. This summer, she saw stars in the night sky for the very first time.

Janice E. Brunstrom, MD, and cerebral palsy patient Emma Price demonstrate martial arts moves for karate instructor Charlie Walton. A national seminar, led by Brunstrom, highlights a highly effective approach to managing cerebral palsy through physical education.