The Boy Who Could Run But Not Walk: Understanding Neuroplasticity in the Child’s Brain

by Karen Pape

In the tradition of Oliver Sacks and Norman Doidge, Dr. Karen Pape, a respected neonatologist and clinical neuroscientist, demonstrates that neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain to change and heal itself, can transform children s lives, just as it has transformed the outlook for adults suffering from brain injuries like stroke or Alzheimer s. With profound implications for the nearly seventeen million children and adults worldwide living with cerebral palsy, "The Boy Who Could Run But Not Walk" demonstrates that cerebral palsy is not an incurable condition. The movement disorders are a physical habit that "can" be changed, with a lot of hard work. These stories of children s recovery and improvements are a revelation surprising, inspiring and illuminating, offering real hope for some of the world s most vulnerable children. The significance of the title: "The Boy Who Could Run But Not Walk" demonstrates the power of unconscious assumptions in medicine and science. The boy had cerebral palsy affecting one side of his body and he learned to walk badly with poor balance, but he was also able to play in a competitive junior soccer league. Dr Pape explains that we walk and run with the same parts of the brain. This means that if the run is normal, then the brain has recovered. The explanation is simple. He learned to walk with a damaged, immature brain. He learned to play soccer with a recovered, more mature brain. Doctors are trained to look at the abnormal walk, not more competent, later learned skills. This book offers readers a new understanding of how the baby brain grows and recovers differently than an adult brain."

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Disability, Medical

352 pages, Hardcover

Published September 20, 2016

Reviews

[Lindsey M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, positive, informative. If you're interested in neuroplasticity, this is the book for you!

[Eman El Emam · Rating 4 out of 5]

الكتاب بيحكي تجربة الطبيبة الكاتبة في التعامل مع الأطفال المصابين بإصابات أو تلف في بعض مناطق الدماغ
وتحكي الكاتبة ان في أول سنين عملها كطبيبة في قسم حديثي الولادة في السبعينات والثمانينات كان الفهم السائدً هو أنه عندما يصاب دماغ الطفل بإصابة بالغة في مراجل حياته الأولى فقد يفقده ذلك العديد من قدراته الحركية والحسية والعقلية للأبد، وأن التعافي من حالات التلف الشديدة التي قد تصيب المواليد أثناء وبعد ولادتهم كالجلطات والنزيف والعدوى الدماغية قد تحكم عليهم بالإعاقة طوال حياتهم
بينما كانت مشاهداتها لتطور حالات مرضاها تنفي صحة هذا الفهم كليًا
فالكثير من الأطفال كانو يظهرون مظاهر تطور وتحسن كبير بعد سنوات من إصابات أدمغتهم
بل ومنهم من كان يبدو عليه التعافي التام دول أي آثار باقية للإصابة القديمة
وعنوان "الولد الذي استطاع الركض وليس المشي" هو عنوان لقصة تعافي أحد مرضى الشلل الدماغي الذين تعاملت معهم الطبيبة الكاتبة .. وتشرح لنا الكاتبة كيف استطاع دماغ هذا الطفل أن يلتئم ويطور نفسه بنفسه
ومن هنا نتعرف على ظاهرة "المرونة العصبية" وهي المفهوم الحديث نسيبا في مجال طب المخ والاعصاب.
الكتاب ممتع مشوق بلغة سهلة ويحكي الكثير من القصص التي تبعث على الأمل في الشفاء للعديد من الحالات الطبية الحرجة.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is four stars with a caveat. This book would not have been nearly as interesting to me if I didn't have some personal experience with the topic. Dr. Pape talks all about neuroplasticity and how the brain can recover from serious events. She mostly works and so mostly focuses on children with cerebral palsy. And since I have a child with cerebral palsy, I found it fascinating and hopeful. If you are not in that niche category, though, it might not resonate quite as much.
One thing that I did find really reassuring is that we have done pretty much everything she recommends doing for our child from early intervention to E-Stim to CIMT and SPML. We have done it and had pretty good results. I was mining the final chapters for additional ideas we can use to improve the quality of life for our child and we might even attempt some of those.
But, it did also take me like 4 months to read this book, so not super-engrossing.

[Lara Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A grat book on voth human potential and innovative medicine. The book argues that what we think about CP is wrong, given neuroplasticity. Examples of the proccess of research are first giben ane then specific examples for babies, children, teemagers and adults. The book also shows the need to be percistant and determined with new ideas, particularly with medical research.

[Mary Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible, easy to understand introduction to the brain’s neuroplasticity. Very helpful as a parent of a child considered high risk for cerebral palsy. This book inspires, encourages , and contains concrete directions on ways to assist and advocate for my son. I see why this book is recommended to parents!!!

[Juliane Sievert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book treating outcome and therapy possibilities for children and adults suffering from CP or other brain injuries. It gives hope and shows how important the parents are in the rehabilitation process.

[Oonagh Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and illuminating.

[Cath Holden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

[Samantha C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book if you have a child in this situation. Made perfect sense and explained a lot to help provide clarity on this rollercoaster ride.

[Rrita Limaj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on neuroplasticity and bad habits in children. Many examples ranging from toddlers to adults.

[Hanna ✨]

I have commitement issues, dnf.