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Tara Buettner says most people find it remarkable when her 13-year-old son John fondly recalls the 6 weeks he spent on the Gillette Children’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit recovering from Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) surgery.
“John just LOVED his inpatient rehab stay,” Tara recalls. “He loved the people, the room, and everything about the experience.”
Gillette Children’s and its Cerebral Palsy Institute is one of the top providers of Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy--a procedure that treats muscle spasticity caused by abnormal communication among the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles.
Gillette is the only comprehensive, pediatric-focused inpatient rehabilitation facility in the Twin Cities.
Botox and Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy Care for Cerebral Palsy at Gillette Children's
John was 18 months old when he was diagnosed with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy and referred to Gillette Children’s. The lower part of his body, including his legs, hips, and feet, are the most affected by cerebral palsy.
“From 18 months of age until he was 5 John was getting Botox [botulinum toxin] injections at Gillette to help with the spasticity in his legs,” Tara says. The Botox injections brought some relief, but when he was 5, Gillette neurosurgeon Peter Kim, MD, suggested John undergo SDR surgery.
Gillette Children's Inpatient Rehab Therapy Means Hard Work and Fun
John’s surgery was successful and, like all Gillette patients who have the procedure, he spent 6 weeks post-surgery in a rigorous, comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program to build his strength and learn new skills.
“John just loved the rehabilitation therapy,” Tara says. “In the evening, we would get a rundown of all the therapies and appointments John had the next day. It was amazing.”
Tara stayed with John during his six weeks at Gillette and says his busy schedule allowed her to work in his hospital room while he was at the rehab gym.
“The rooms at Gillette are well-designed and I could set up my computer and work without interruptions,” Tara says. “At night I slept in John’s room on the pullout bed or occasionally I had the opportunity to stay at the Gillette Ronald McDonald House on site.”
Tara found the inpatient rehabilitation unit to be “well run and very organized.” She and John appreciated Gillette’s approach to keeping kids busy and having fun with other children on the unit.
“We enjoyed the craft activities in the evening and the visits from the therapy dogs. I also appreciated the prone carts that allowed me to take John outside for a bit of fresh air and to see the Gillette playground.”
John benefited from intense rehabilitation therapy following his selective dorsal rhizotomy, and his family is grateful.
An "Old Soul" and an Advocate
John looks toward a future career in disability access.
Today, John is in the 8th grade and is an advocate to ensure children who have disabilities have access to playgrounds. He works with Landscape Structures to test and design accessible playground equipment.
“John is an old soul,” his mother proudly proclaims. “His goal is to continue this work in the disability access area and be an engineer or designer one day. We’re grateful his care at Gillette allows him to build strength and plan for his future.”
