Images From The StoryPosted on 05/20/2005 10:23:26 PM PDT by Coleus
One Mother's Long Journey For Stem Cell Treatment
By Eyewitness News' Kemberly Richardson (New York -WABC, May 20, 2005) — It's one of the hot-button topics in politics and medicine. President Bush today vowed to veto any legislation that eases restrictions on stem cell research. It's that kind of stand that forced one mother to look outside the country for medical help for her child.
Here's Kemberly Richardson.
Kelly Bavaro, Mother: "I have nothing at all, period. So I took that chance."
A chance that Kelly Bavaro says has paid off tenfold. Her daughter Alyssa has cerebral palsy. Since birth she's visited a hot of therapists, tried traditional medicine. Her mother says all have had little results.
Kelly Bavaro, Mother: "She would constantly throw her head back and she'd get stiff and hyperextend and you couldn't bend her for nothing."
Then Kelly started reading on the internet how some people with Multiple Sclerosis were showing signs of progress after receiving blood stem cells from newborn umbilical cords.
Dr. David Steinblock is a pioneering researcher in the controversial field.
Dr. David Steinblock, Brain Therapeutics Medical Clinic: "I don't care how many millions of dollars you throw at this child, nothing is going to work like stem cells - period."
He's talking about the very same cells Kelly was reading about. But in order to get the treatment she had to go to Mexico where a physician in Tijuana would give Alyssa injections in her stomach - the cost: $6,000 each.
Kelly Bavaro, Mother: "I don't think it's dangerous, I really don't. It's coming from healthy, newborn babies. I mean it's just like somebody going to get a blood transfusion."
Experts say those cells eventually make their way to her brain, to the damaged area.
Dr. David Steinblock: "It's a repair, Mr. Fixit kind of process."
He says 90 percent of children with cerebral palsy show significant improvement, but adds that no one is quite sure why some excel while others do not.
That's exactly what prevents people here in the U.S. from getting this treatment. Critics say there is no scientific evidence that this procedure is effective and so there are stringent safety guards in place requiring doctors to get FDA approval.
Alyssa had had two shots and Kelly says her daughter is making dramatic progress.
Kelly Bavaro, Mother: "Her stiffening has decreased, she grew, she gained weight. I had to go buy her all new clothes. I want to know if I leave this world when she gets older that she can take care of herself."
Is someone scamming this woman? As far as I know, there is nothing illegal about using umbilical cord blood in stem cell research. It is considered, morally, the same as adult stem cells, and I believe, is acceptable to President Bush.
Typical propaganda from the nazi MSM.
This Eyewitless News reporterette is either totally ignorant or trying to Bush bash. President Bush has no problems with the use adult stem cells or, as in this case, stem cells from umbilical cord blood.
Not until the end of the story does she acknowledge it's the FDA that is not allowing this procedure in the U.S., due to lack of scientific evidence.
I sent 'em e-mail, suggesting they find reporters who have a clue about the different kind of stem cells.
The ignorant and desperate continue to be exploited by the abortionists.
Does ABC have a web page that solicits people who are willing to spout off the MSM rhetoric? It's unbelievable who they bring on. I'm sorry but I don't consider any of their subjects as reliable. They created the reason to doubt because of their biased reporting.
The only upside to this article is that there appears to be hope for the kids who suffer from Cerebral Palsy. And that makes my heart sing..
I'm afraid there's probably not much use in injections in the stomach. I think the treatments using stem cells to repair neurological damage and heart damage have been either IV or in the specific site.
FALSE. Bush wants restrictions on EMBRYONIC stem cell research. Are people so stupid not to know the difference between EMBROYNIC stem cells and mere stem cells?
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