Written by Camille and Chris Ross (Simon’s Parents)
After urgent transfer to Wellington Hospital from Blenheim, Simon was born at 29 weeks gestation by emergency caesarean section. He was in poor condition at birth, weighed 1080 grams, and further investigations one week later demonstrated bilateral intraventricular bleeds, with Grade 4 haemorrhage on the left and Grade 3 on the right. A repeat ultrasound showed that he had developed periventricular leucomalacia and he subsequently developed spastic quadriplegia, developmental delay, epilepsy and reflux disease. On Monday 07 February Simon was discharged from Wellington Neo-Natal unit and flown to Nelson Hospital where he remained until he was stable enough to be transferred to Wairau Hospital in Blenheim on Thursday 17 February. Simon was eventually able to go home for the first time on Friday 25 February weighing 4lb2oz
Simon has had a number of orthopaedic operations because of contractures. He has had open hip abductor releases bilaterally in February 1988 for abductor spasm. In 2001 he had bilateral hamstring lengthening. In October 2006 he had bilateral lengthening of the Achilles and lateral column lengthening of the foot. He had surgery for a left divergent squint. He has had salivary duct surgery because of drooling, and he has also had bilateral grommets inserted for middle ear effusions. Simon also had a Mickey Button inserted for feeding directly into his tummy.
Early Intervention began immediately, with a physiotherapist from Nelson Hospital visiting Wairau Hospital 3 days per week. The practiced method of therapy was Vojta Therapy.
This method of therapy was to be practiced three times a day, and required stripping Simon naked and using pressure points on his body to gain a reaction from another part of his body. Three of these sessions per week were at Wairau Hospital. We took the opportunity to meet with Professor Vojta in Melbourne and continued this method of therapy until Simon was 3 1/2years old. This therapy was intrusive to everyday life, Simon detested it and it eventually resulted in his mother having a breakdown.
In 1996 after visiting the Conductive Education Pre School in Christchurch, we sold our home, relocated to Christchurch and Simon began this holistic approach to his development shortly after. Simon had a routine, gained self-confidence and for the first time we felt that we had the support, training and tools required to enable Simon to maximise his potential. Conductive Education is delivered in a group setting, where every part of the daily routine is carefully planned and structured to ensure maximum learning opportunity. Life skills included sitting, standing, eating, toileting , & self-cares
At age 5 in 1999 Simon attended Room 5 at Addington Primary School, which provides Conductive Education for the primary aged children. These were happy days. Simon was main streamed for appropriate classes and made a lot of friendships that he still has today. He absolutely thrived in this environment. He began walking with a walker, sitting on a stool, standing with assistance, no longer required a nappy, and developed into a sociable and happy young man.
When Simon was 13, he started Conductive Education at Cashmere High School and continued to develop social, physical and cognitive skills. At 19 years old, Simon began his transition from school and he now attends the Adult Conductive Education Trust programme once per week. With thanks to the Adult programme Simon is maintaining all the skills he has worked so hard to develop and continues to remain physically healthy. Importantly, he has remained connected and retained friendships with his peers through the programme, and they regularly catch up to do other various activities during the week. As parents we continue to feel supported, and benefit from the advice and support of Conductive Education and other families.
