What: An innovative and highly effective approach to moving kids with cerebral palsy out of their wheelchairs and walkers and into activities like basketball, swimming and martial arts will be the focus of a national seminar.
When: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, July 9-10, 2004
Where: Eric P. Newman Education Center, Washington University Medical Center, 320 S. Euclid Ave., St. Louis 63110
“Building the Road to Independence: A Novel Approach to Help Kids With Cerebral Palsy” is a seminar designed to provide information about education, physical fitness, mobility, technology and independence to parents and caregivers of children with cerebral palsy.
Jan Brunstrom, M.D., a Washington University pediatric neurologist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital who directs the Pediatric Neurology Cerebral Palsy Center, will lead the session. Brunstrom has cerebral palsy but has overcome most of its disabling symptoms by training in martial arts and by using other forms of exercise. She received the highest honor from the United Cerebral Palsy Association Women’s Board for her work with patients in her clinic, for her nationally renowned martial arts class, and for her sports program for children with disabilities.
Attendees can participate in parent panels, network with other families facing similar challenges and see children with cerebral palsy demonstrating martial arts.
Physicians and other healthcare providers from the Pediatric Neurology Cerebral Palsy Center also will provide information at the conference.
Cost is $100 for non-medical attendees, $125 for allied health-care providers and $175 for physicians. Registration will be accepted until the day of the seminar, but all fees go up $25 after July 1. For more information, call (314) 362-6891.
Editor’s Note: Brunstrom is available for media interviews prior to the conference. She sees patients in her cerebral palsy clinic on Mondays. In addition, several families attending this conference also will be available. To arrange an interview, contact Kim Leydig, (314) 286-0119, or Kim Groneck, (314) 286-0416.
The full-time and volunteer faculty of Washington University School of Medicine are the physicians and surgeons of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals. The School of Medicine is one of the leading medical research, teaching and patient care institutions in the nation, currently ranked second in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Through its affiliations with Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals, the School of Medicine is linked to BJC HealthCare.