Alex's Story
Alex Ward is a hilarious, red headed, almost 10 year old boy who lives in Fairfield with his parents, Cory and Jennifer, and siblings, Hayden and Hayley. He has endured quite a bit in his little life! At 7 months old Alex was diagnosed with Infantile Spasms, which is a rare and very dangerous seizure disorder that affects infants. That diagnosis led to an MRI which determined that he had suffered a stroke in utero. At that time, Alex's parents, Cory and Jennifer Ward, gave daily injections of ACTH for 7 weeks to stop the seizures and began therapy for the effects of the stroke. The stroke occurred on the left side of Alex's brain. As a result, he has weaknesses on the right side of his body. He was developmentally delayed, sitting at 1 year old, walking at about 21 months, and finally talking well between age 3 and 4. Alex has been in many different types of therapy including speech, physical, behavioral, occupational, and CI therapy since he was diagnosed. He has closed many of the gaps and has made lots of improvements but still focuses specifically on making “righty” stronger. After struggling with seizures, a temporal lobectomy was performed to remove the portion of brain
where the seizures were originating. Alex has only had one episode of seizures since this surgery! After a
major growth spurt, surgery was necessary in January of 2016 to lengthen his Achilles tendon. He
recovered well from this and continues to gain strength! As he grows, it is important to keep an eye on any
possible changes that could occur. Life with a stroke survivor can be full of surprises or complications, but
Alex handles whatever is thrown at him like a champ!! Read more...
where the seizures were originating. Alex has only had one episode of seizures since this surgery! After a
major growth spurt, surgery was necessary in January of 2016 to lengthen his Achilles tendon. He
recovered well from this and continues to gain strength! As he grows, it is important to keep an eye on any
possible changes that could occur. Life with a stroke survivor can be full of surprises or complications, but
Alex handles whatever is thrown at him like a champ!! Read more...