Nabilah’s cerebral palsy journey.

Sultana Nabilah was born 23rd November 2007 in Lagos, Nigeria. The mother’s first hint at something unusual was the general delay of Nabilah’s growth milestones. On examination, Nabilah had some dysmorphisms (narrow face, hypertelorism, low-set ears, narrow slanting palpebral fissures). An assessment of Cerebral Palsy (Flaccid type) was made, and some of the issues identified were: delayed Milestones (Motor, Social, Language), ddysmorphism, elevated serum magnesium and iron deficiency. The story of Nabilah’s journey has demystified Cerebral Palsy or chromosomal anomaly of any kind. She was born one year after her elder sister, and her birth was celebrated as she was born into royalty and was the second granddaughter after several grandsons. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at eight months, Nabilah’s parents have embraced the care and nurture of Nabilah as a God-given assignment. Of course, it wasn’t easy to accept this, as the parents ran from the USA to the UK to UAE, seeking medical interventions to change the narrative. There were the initial denials, cries, prayers, and seeking of both orthodox and unorthodox solutions. Nabilah’s treatments have spanned Nigeria and the western continents, starting from the Children’s Lifeline Hospital in Lekki to various physiotherapists and occupational, speech and movement therapies. Getting her into mainstream schooling took different approaches through HMS Montessori, Casa de Bambini, and the Learning Place (TLP & TLPC. Today, Nabilah is at Anthos House by Greensprings, and she is doing excellently well. Nabilah has not only built self-confidence and a level of confidence, but she has also transitioned from a day student to a boarding student! She has adjusted to boarding school faster than we envisaged.