Imagine a child not being able to hug his mom. That’s exactly what happened to six-year-old Jude Siperstein when he was just four-years-old. A once precocious boy who was running around at Sesame Place just days before, was suddenly stricken with paralysis.
In 2014, Jude began complaining of an ear infection which soon turned into shoulder pain and ultimately a diagnosis of Transverse Myelitis, an autoimmune disease that affects the spinal cord resulting in paralysis. Upon taking Jude to the emergency room, Jude’s parents were initially told that doctors didn’t know what his diagnosis was, if his condition was irreversible, or if he was even going to survive.
“In a matter of a few days, Jude went from a fully active child to not even being able to hold himself up or stand up, not able to hold his head up, or even drink water by himself,” explains Jared Siperstein, Jude’s dad. “It was extremely scary.”
On his first night as an inpatient at PSE&G Children’s Specialized Hospital, little Jude said, “Mom, I want to hug you.” – Yet, he couldn’t. “Thinking that your child can never hug you again, that’s a big deal,” remembers Amy Boright, Jude’s mom, of that moment.
Despite having anxiety, Jude’s parents knew that if there was ever a chance of their outgoing, sociable young son regaining mobility, it would be at Children’s Specialized Hospital.
For his first day of therapy as an inpatient, Jude’s Occupational Therapist, Danielle Duddy, and Physical Therapist, Sarah Dubois, came to his room dressed up as his favorite characters – the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! “We knew from that moment on, we made the right choice,” recalls Amy. “Children’s Specialized Hospital is where he would get better.”
“From the very first day, Jude showed all of us his playful heart,” recalls Danielle. “In the beginning, therapy was scary for him because of what his body had just gone through, but he showed us that with fun, determination, a strong/supportive family and a fighting spirit that anything could happen.”
Jude’s inpatient stay was very successful. “Over the course of 12 ½ weeks, Jude responded well to electrical stimulation (to activate his muscle groups,) standard land therapy, and aqua therapy,” says Dr. Michele Fantasia, Jude’s doctor as an inpatient.
Recalling Jude’s inpatient stay, Amy reflects that Children’s Specialized Hospital takes care of more than just the patient. “They really care about your whole family,” says Amy. “The staff wanted my child to get better while making sure I was okay.”
Looking back at his time as an inpatient, Amy vividly remembers all of the progress Jude made and how far he has since come. “The first time Jude took his second first steps, as I call them, was when Sarah put him in the Zero G machine,” recalls Amy. And I remember well when Danielle got him to lift his arm a little for the first time.”
“Judeski,” as his family has nicknamed him, is now well on his way to playing soccer and having dance parties again! “He made amazing progress in rehab and continues to work hard towards his goals of becoming stronger,” says Danielle. “Jude was an absolute joy to work with and I feel lucky to have been his occupational therapist.”
Jude sure has come a long way from relearning to lift his arm again as he was determined to perform all the dance moves at his recent kindergarten graduation.
Now an outpatient at Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, Jude receives Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy to keep improving his left side weakness. He also attended the hospital’s BECOME Program over the summer which focused on improving strength and function of an upper extremity impacted by hemiparesis.
“Jude loves the therapists, he looks forward to coming to therapy every morning and spending time with them,” explains Jared.
Each week, Jude’s progress continues as he is able to do something new he couldn’t do before. In the past couple of weeks, he’s been able to jump, skip, and get in and out of the car by himself.
While Jude is well on his way to his ultimate goals of gaining back function, he takes the time to cheer on other kids, too; which is a big part of why he is the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital’s 2016 New Jersey Champion!
“Jude is constantly encouraging his friends in the gym to work hard,” explains Katelyn Powers, Jude’s outpatient Occupational Therapist.
As the Miracle Champion, Jude has had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., where he met other champion children and representatives from Senator Cory Booker’s office, and toured the Capitol building.
“Jude really loves being the Miracle Champion,” exclaims Amy. “He likes the concept that he’s worked really hard to get better and he wants other kids to know, if they work hard, they’ll get better, too.”
While no parent ever wishes their child experiences hardship, Amy knows that all great things take time. She expresses “to have patience with the process. You have to make peace that you don’t know where you’re going to end up, but to have faith.”
As Jude continues his therapies and progression, he is well on his way to inspiring even more kids and adults. Amy believes that he wouldn’t be where he is today without the treatment and therapies he has received.
“Without a doubt – Children’s Specialized Hospital gave Jude his life back. His progress has been a miracle.”