Dylan K Plays Hop-Scotch

"Never Losing Hope – Finding Her Stride After A Stroke"

Dylan runningThose are the tried and true words of parents David and Dana Klink. Their oldest daughter, Dylan, now five-years-old has benefitted from Children’s Specialized Hospital’s services since she was 23-months-old. In May 2011, Dylan was scheduled for an in-and-out surgical procedure. What was supposed to be something relatively simple, turned into one of the scariest moments of the Klink’s lives. Unfortunately, something went terribly wrong and Dylan experienced a stroke during surgery causing hemiparesis, or weakness, on the right side of her body.

As a result, Dylan was partially paralyzed and could no longer walk. At that time, doctors recommended that Dylan be transferred to Children’s Specialized Hospital for inpatient services in order to recover. David and Dana were fully aware their little girl had a tough road ahead, but were certain Dylan had a determined and unwavering spirit that would help her through. For four weeks, Dylan worked hard at intensive rehabilitation including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, with a primary focus on independent walking and increasing right side awareness and strength.

Dylan with her familyAfter a long month of hard work full of willpower, Dylan was able to go home. She continued therapy as an outpatient at one of Children’s Specialized Hospital’s facilities in her hometown of Toms River. Dylan continues to receive occupational therapy services today. With her continued outpatient therapies, Dylan began to walk again with the help of leg braces and has made incredible progress.

“Dylan came to us with little to no use of her right upper extremity,” explains Dylan’s occupational therapist since August 2011, Danielle McConnell, MS, OTR/L. “Being as bright as she is, Dylan figured out how to complete tasks using her left arm and legs as opposed to using both hands. She was easily frustrated and had limited compliance, but since then, Dylan has greatly matured and is engaged in therapy and motivated to use her right arm. She is able to activate her shoulder and elbow and is beginning to have active motion in her wrist and hand. She has even achieved successful grasp on objects using Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation.”

Dylan has also attended Children’s Specialized Hospital’s BECOME Program[MR1] ; a camp that provides Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIT) for up to six hours a day, five days a week, for three weeks. CIT involves “constraining” the strong or unaffected arm using a removable cast. This approach allows the child to only use their affected or weaker arm during play activities. Dylan is now able to use her right hand to assist when holding a large object and she is able to jump and run.

Dylan and her momBig sister to 2 ½ year-old twin sisters, Dani and Devin, it’s no secret Dylan challenges herself to be the best she can be. Her strong-willed personality and desire to do things better and faster has given her the drive to succeed and improve her motor skills. Dylan is now “able to incorporate her right upper extremity into play tasks, including holding the handles of her tricycle or pogo stick,” says McConnell.

Dylan is doing well in school, especially enjoying art and reading. She also loves being active outside any chance she gets. Though with a lot to celebrate, Dylan is greatly looking forward to an indoor pool party for her upcoming sixth birthday in May!

“I attribute much of Dylan’s success to family involvement in sessions and carryover at home,” explains McConnell. “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Dylan and her family!”

Dylan was also named Children’s Specialized Hospital’s 2014 Children’s Miracle Network Hospital’s Champion. Dylan blossomed during her Champion year attending many events to share her success story on behalf of Children’s Specialized and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

“Dylan's recovery started at Children’s Specialized Hospital and she continually shows improvement,” explained David and Dana. “The therapy she has received has been instrumental in her positive growth. Specifically, this past year during her reign as Champion, she has matured so much and really come out of her shell! We are so proud of her! How strong and resilient children really are.”

Despite going through unimaginable circumstances no parents want to experience, David and Dana recommend for families to “embrace the experience of being a part of the Children’s Specialized Hospital family. No one ever hopes to be in this type of situation, but if you find yourself there, you can find comfort that you are being cared for at Children’s Specialized Hospital.”