Norah's Inspiring Journey With Cerebral Palsy

Early Signs and Diagnosis

Norah was born in Knoxville, TN after a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Her parents noticed some developmental delays in her first year but initially brushed them off as normal new-parent challenges.

At her one-year appointment, Norah was referred for early intervention services and to see a developmental pediatrician, who then referred her to a neurologist. At 13 months old, Norah was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Early Intervention and Genetic Testing

After her diagnosis, Norah began physical, occupational, and speech therapy. An MRI deemed “normal” led to a genetics referral, where testing revealed Norah’s case is extremely rare with no official name – the gene is MAPK8IP3. While labeled as cerebral palsy, Norah is a truly unique and very special little girl.

Continuing Therapy Out West

Norah’s family moved from Tennessee to Arizona and carried on with therapy. She was matched with a stellar medical team of specialty doctors and orthotics experts. Their journey led the family to UCP of Central AZ in 2022 – where Norah receives physical, occupational, and speech therapy and has done nothing but Excel since joining the UCP family.

Major Progress With UCP

In just a year at UCP, Norah has made tremendous strides. With the help of her therapy team, she can now walk short distances in her walker, stand with minimal support for several minutes at a time, and communicate in short phrases on her talker (AAC device). She is even gaining independent living skills like dressing herself.

A Reason to Celebrate

While any diagnosis is scary and can be overwhelming for parents. Our UCP therapy team partners together every session to provide Norah with the very best services and support we can offer. She loves her therapy team and lights up when arriving at her sessions. Norah’s inspiring journey shows the heights that can be reached with early intervention, a collaborative spirit, and care centered on each child’s unique needs.

Norah is a three-year-old girl who lives in Arizona with her family and her pet dog, Barley. Norah was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy just after her first birthday. This book features all of Norah’s favorite things alongside her friends Makena and Barley.

 

To get your copy of “Norah’s World” and join Norah on her extraordinary journey, visit your online bookstore for more information. A portion of the proceeds from the book will be allocated towards intensive therapy programs for Norah’s growth and development.