How Shriners’ Motion Analysis Center helped teen with cerebral palsy defy the odds

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – A medical service is advancing applied science and helping young lives in northwest Louisiana by utilizing a setting inspired by space travel and cutting-edge technology to conquer fears of the unknown.

“It’s a nod to infinite possibilities. We want the kids to be future-oriented in how they’re thinking about things. Letting them visual themselves moving past this state they are in now and think about this transformative thing they are moving toward,” said Damian Duhon, Manager of Therapy Services, Shriners Children’s Shreveport.

Shriners Children’s Shreveport houses a unique specialized service called the Motion Analysis Center. The only one of its kind in Louisiana and a part of the largest motion analysis data group in the world under Shriners Children’s hospitals.

“It allows us to see things we can’t see with our eyes and eliminate our biases. We can actually detect the rotation of the bones underneath the skin to tell which bones which may need to be cut and rotated to improve how that child moves. Things that we can’t measure any other way,” Duhon said.

Using two types of technology to assist surgeons who care for children with limited mobility.

“It gives doctor the ability to see whether a surgery is doing what they think it’s doing,” Duhon said.

Especially children with cerebral palsy.

“Because of the lack of oxygen, we weren’t sure of the long-term. Some of the doctors said his prognosis did not look good,” Taylor Wisen Baler said.

Taylor said she almost lost her son Brayden when he was born.

“It was a lot of traumatic stuff that day,” Wisen said.

At one year old, Brayden was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. He has been in therapy twice a week since he was a baby. They said since they have been going to the Motion Analysis Center, his gait has improved through more targeted surgeries.

“I used to fall a lot. But with toning my foot, I don’t fall as much anymore,” said Brayden Ferrier, a Shriners patient.

Brayden recovered from a leg straightening surgery that put him on six months of bed rest.

“It was very hard just to sit there for a long period of time,” Ferrier said.

Brayden said he does not like to sit around. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and playing baseball. This is remarkable for a young person with cerebral palsy, particularly due to the condition known as the crouched gait.

“So it puts them at a two to three times higher energy cost to do the same tasks as you and I,” Duhon said.

“He’s very determined. If any doctors or anybody says he wouldn’t be able to do something, he’s done it. He’s about to start driving,” Taylor said.

Taylor said she was a young mom when she had Brayden so they have a special bond together.

“We kind of both grew up together. So we’ve both just been trucking along,” Wisen said.

Through trauma, many surgeries and lots of therapies, while defying doctors expectations.
Brayden is now thriving as a strong, young man.

“Look forward. Don’t stop. Keep hustling. You can do anything you set your mind to,” Brayden said.

The Motion Analysis Center is helping children from across seven different states. The team is continuing to develop research to assist children with bone alignment surgeries. They plan to help student athletes undergoing recovery treatments in the future.