Danielle shares her story about her son who has spastic cerebral palsy. Danielle talks about being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Graves’Disease. She shares how Graves’ Disease led to a thyroid storm and how the thyroid storm affected her. When Danielle was 32 weeks pregnant the ultrasound showed that something was different, but doctors weren't sure what. When Danielle’s baby was born doctors used what is called the EXIT procedure which had been performed only 3 times in the United States at that point. Danielle discusses how her autoimmune disease prevented her son's lungs from forming. Once she was home, Danielle talks about some of the symptoms she started noticing prior to her son being diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Danielle also reveals how she went about getting additional services to help her son, such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and ABA therapy. Plus, she talks about how horse therapy has helped her son immensely. Danielle talks about how her son is doing today. She discusses how she has tried various therapies, such as Botox therapy, to help her son's muscles relax. She talks about how children with cerebral palsy often need surgery because the bones are growing faster than the ligaments and muscles can grow. Plus, she talks extensively about how she takes care of herself so she can better care for her children She shares how her son's medical challenges affect her other two children.

Finally, Danielle talks about why she wanted to give back to the Ronald McDonald House and what she did to achieve her goal.

Join us for Danielle's episode.