Health Law

Teen Overcomes Cerebral Palsy Symptoms by Running

Eighteen year old Andy Sullman has cerebral palsy, but you wouldn’t know it to see him running. For nearly a year, he’s been training to run a marathon. Running has helped him overcome his cerebral palsy symptoms – something he was unable to do with traditional treatments like physical therapy.

Andy says running has made him stronger. Just before he began running, Andy began to lose feeling on the left side of his body and his head began to droop toward his shoulder. Now he stands straight and strong.

In It for the Long-Term

Andy was born prematurely and there were complications. A delay in treatment caused him to suffer brain damage, according to his mother, Dominique Sullman. On Sunday, Andy will run in the Chevron Houston Marathon.

“I want to run a marathon because I really enjoy running, and I want to show people that anybody can run a marathon with training,” he said.

And running is something Andy says he will continue to do. “It’s given him independence for life. It’s given him normality. There are so many kids out there with CP, maybe this can give them hope,” his mother said.



 
 

Full post as published by Cerebral Palsy Law Blog on January 18, 2009 (boomark / email).