New Suit Helps Cerebral Palsy Patients

Sitting up and walking can be physical challenges for many people with cerebral palsy. Cerebral Palsy often causes the muscles to become weak, tight, or spastic, making movement difficult. Thanks to Russian technology, a new special cerebral palsy medical suit, called the Adeli Suit, can help children with this condition develop proper movement and strengthen their muscles. Some people with cerebral palsy may even learn to walk following therapy with this special medical suit.

The Children’s Hospital in Alabama just received a $15,000 grant from a charity called Making Strides to help pay for these suits and therapist training on how to use this new cerebral palsy technology. A Russian doctor, who specialized in the use of the Adeli Suit, even flew in to demonstrate proper use of this therapy. Since Making Strides offered this generous funding, 20 children with cerebral palsy have been able to receive four-hour-a-day treatments for three weeks. More financial support is in the works to purchase additional suits.

This special suit was originally designed in Russia for astronauts to adjust to low-gravity conditions in outer space. This suit is a halter-top and shorts combination connected by straps and stretchable cords that can be pulled in different ways depending on a patient’s specific condition. According to the director of physical and occupational therapy at the Children’s Hospital, “[The suit] straightens up your posture. It gives you the feeling of muscles pulling the way they should so you can move properly.”

With intensive therapy, the brain is actually learning how to properly coordinate the muscles so it can remember-- without the suit how-- to orchestrate better movement.

Do you have a child with cerebral palsy? Contact a cerebral palsy lawyer who can help determine if your child is eligible for financial compensation to help pay for cerebral palsy therapy.