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

by Karen Pape

In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Karen Pape tells the story of how some children with early brain damage astounded everyone around them. The brain injury they suffered at or near birth had led to motor problems such as the awkward gait we associate with cerebral palsy. Yet they were able to run, kick a soccer ball, tap dance, and play tennis. This was not supposed to happen. It ran counter to the prevailing belief that the brain is hardwired and fixed. When Dr. Pape first shared her remarkable findings, she ran into fierce opposition from mainstream medicine. Yet this courageous neonatologist didn’t back down.
In her clinical practice, Pape helped many young brain-damaged children to significantly improve their movement. It led her to ask why some of them could run but not walk with the same ease. Her answer was By the time they learned to run, their brains had healed. The awkward walking gait was actually a bad habit acquired while the brain was still damaged.
This is the power and the beauty of neuroplasticity, the brain’s amazing ability to change and heal. It has revolutionized the treatment of adults who suffer stroke. Now, for the first time, this remarkable book shows that children with a brain injury at or near birth can get better, too. These stories of children’s recovery and improvements are a revelation—surprising, inspiring, and illuminating. They offer real hope for some of the world’s most vulnerable children and a better understanding of how the baby brain grows and recovers.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Disability, Medical

357 pages, Kindle Edition

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.