Update - Ivy was successfully enrolled into Duke Universities groundbreaking, 'Allogeneic Stem Cell Clinical Trial for Children with Cerebral Palsy' and travelled to North Carolina, USA in May 2018, where she received a stem cell transfusion. Our efforts are now focused towards maximising and enhancing neurogenesis and the healing potential of the stem cells within the first 12 months of the transfusion, throughout the duration of the trial. Ivy spent 1 month in Georgia after her first visit to NC, where she attended consultations for some of the intensive therapies we are fundraising for her to be able to receive. Whilst at her Suit Therapy Consultation, Ivy took some of her first steps, showing the potential of what can be achieved with proper intervention at the right time. Ivy's prime time to heal is right now, will you help this wonderful little girl get the help she desperately needs to fulfill her potential?

Click to Watch Ivy Taking Some Of Her First Steps

You can follow Ivy's epic therapeutic journey by visiting her facebook page for updates and to see pictures and videos of her progress.

Facebook Page - Ivy Rose, Living with Cerebral Palsy, A Therapeutic Journey

Hello, my name is Sky Summers. My husband Stephen and myself would like to thank you for visiting Ivy's page and share our 4 year old daughters story with you, in the hope that you will support Ivy’s crowdfunding appeal with a donation and by sharing her JustGiving crowdfunding page. Every donation made, no matter what amount, is life changing for Ivy and potentially many other CP children. With help, support and guidance from a team of proffesionals and experts, all funds raised beyond what is needed for Ivy's treatments, will be channeled into helping other CP children and their families in the UK, whether directly, or by purchasing equipment for therapies and treatments not currently available in the UK.

With YOUR help and support through generous donations and page shares, Ivy has a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to the USA and become the recipient of not only a groundbreaking Stem Cell Clinical Trial, but also an intensive 6 months combined program of evidence based Therapies and Treatments, specifically tailored to Ivy’s current level of Cerebral Palsy function. This unique coordinated approach, could lead to not previously thought possible improvement in Ivy’s debilitating condition, and become the template for future treatment of children with Cerebral Palsy. A child’s brain neuroplasticity (its ability to be retrained) decreases from 7 years old. Early intervention is absolutely critical for Ivy to reach her full potential.

This will be an intense and physically demanding 6 months for Ivy and our family. However, all her therapists agree, she is a hard working and determined little girl with a positive attitude who is ready to take on these challenges and succeed. Please help enable Ivy to become a Trail Blazer for all children suffering from Cerebral Palsy. Thank You!

Click the link and ‘Like’ Ivy’s facebook page, to follow her epic therapeutic journey to the USA and see her transformational change. We look forward to sharing it with all her supporters.

Facebook Page - Ivy Rose, Living With Cerebral Palsy, A Therapeutic Journey

For those of you who would like to know a little more, please read on. However, there is nothing short or simple about Ivy's story.

Ivy's Birth, Early Life & Problems.

Ivy arrived prematurely at 32 weeks and spent the first 3 weeks of her life in the NICU, she was then transferred to the old Yorkhill Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow for a further 2 weeks. At 5 weeks old Ivy was discharged, within 48 hours of arriving home she had her first ‘Episode’ and stopped breathing, I managed to resuscitate her. Having experienced every parent’s worst nightmare, we went from cautiously optimistic to living in constant terror. Only one year earlier we had lost our fraternal twin babies due to prematurity. Xander died an hour after birth in my arms, as I gave birth to his sister Sandy who was stillborn. Over the next 7 months, Ivy had countless episodes and choking fits due to acid reflux. I had to keep a vigil over our baby 24/7 so as to intervene at any moment and ensure her survival. Introducing solids at 8 months old lessened the reflux but created new problems such as constipation, chewing and swallowing difficulties. Our first 2 years with Ivy were very traumatic and spent simply trying to keep her alive.

Ivy's Diagnosis & Prognosis.

Around Ivy’s 2nd Birthday, due to not having reached age appropriate milestones she was finally sent for an MRI brain scan, which led to her devastating formal diagnosis of Spastic Diplegia, Cerebral Palsy. The NHS objective is to manage the condition, not cure or rehabilitate the brain damage.

Transitioning From Survival Mode Into Actively Seeking Treatments.

Ivy’s official diagnosis motivated me to rapidly transition from survival mode into actively seeking a way to radically improve my daughter’s long-term quality of life. Through extensive research I found Stem Cell Therapy.

Making Connections.

I connected with Dr. Todd McAllister, Executive Director of the Amnion Foundation, a non-profit public stem cell bank in North Carolina and also Hulet Smith, an Occupational Therapist and Chief Executive Officer of RehabMart in Atlanta. Mr. Smith also has a daughter with Cerebral Palsy and has achieved remarkable results through combined efforts with other specialists, using therapies and treatments that are not currently available through the NHS in the UK. Dr. McAllister subsequently connected me with Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg from Carolinas Cord Blood Bank, who is also Director and Chief Scientific & Medical Officer at Duke University in North Carolina. Ivy has officially been accepted into Dr. Kurtzberg's upcoming clinical trial, which is an Allogenic, Cord Blood, Stem Cell Clinical Trial for children with Cerebral Palsy.

Becoming A Patient / Parent Advocate.

In May 2017, I took my first big steps on a new path, to become a Patient / Parent Advocate for Cerebral Palsy. I was invited to speak at the ‘World Advanced Therapies & Regenerative Medicine Congress’ in London, where I contributed a presentation as a panel member alongside Dr. Kurtzberg, Dr. McAllister and Hulet Smith, OT. I have been invited to return as a speaker in 2018.

Radical Intervention.

Since meeting in London, Hulet Smith and I have put a plan of action together for Ivy's radical intervention headed up by RehabMart. The Stem Cell Clinical Trial, will bookend an intensive 6 months course of evidence-based Treatments and Therapies. Through successful crowdfunding, Ivy has the opportunity to receive Physiotherapy, Hyperbaric Therapy, Suit Therapy, Hippo-Therapy, Trapeze Therapy, Doman Therapy and Bemer Switzerland. Whilst we do not have to pay for enrolment into the Stem Celll Clinical Trial, all other Therapies and Treatments are very expensive.

Currently...

Ivy faces many adversities in life with her biggest challenge being greatly limited mobility. Ivy suffers chronic reflux and constipation and whilst she can feed by mouth, Ivy cannot chew or swallow efficiently and is therefore still fed baby textured foods. Ivy's speech is developing but is adversely affected by her spasticity. Since reaching her 3rd Birthday this year, Ivy has been able to sit up independently, pull herself up onto her knees, crawl a little and very recently she pulled herself up onto her feet. Ivy faces all her daily struggles, challenges and pain with a smile, best described as an intelligent and bright 3 year old with an inquisitive mind. High spirited with a cheeky grin and a mischievous gleam in her eye, she has a fun sense of humour and loves to make people laugh. Incredibly loving and affectionate, Ivy is an inspiration to all who meet her.

Thank You for reading Ivy's story and God Bless You for your support.

Sky & Stephen Summers.

Statement from Dr. Todd McAllister, Executive Director of the Amnion Foundation.

Statement from Mr. Hulet Smith, OT & CEO of RehabMart.