By the age of three, Cameron Mott, was having up to ten seizures everyday. Doctors had tried several different interventions to control the seizures, but despite the numerous attempts to stop the seizures, they persisted. The seizures became so severe that Cameron’s cognitive abilities began declining to the point where she was barely able to talk. Cameron was diagnosed with a rare disease that causes one side of the brain to deteriorate and fail.
With no other effective treatments available, Cameron’s doctor suggested trying to remove the half of the brain that was deteriorating. By doing this radical procedure (a hemispherectomy), the doctor’s were counting on the other side of the brain to take over the cognitive and physical functions of the side that was removed.
Cameron awoke from the surgery with the left side of her body paralyzed. Doctors expected her to be disabled for many years, as the left side of the brain controls physical movements. Through intense therapy, the right side of the brain was able to compensate for the missing half and relearn what was stored in the left side of the brain. Cameron defied expectations and was able to walk out of the rehabilitation center four weeks after the surgery. Not only has she regained physical function, she is also performing well in school.
Please reflect on and answer the following questions:
- What about Cameron’s story stood out the most for you?
- Describe a time when you’ve had to work really hard to learn something either in school or outside of school.
- What do you think contributed to Cameron’s ability to relearn what she had lost?
- Describe a time when you thought you knew how to do something and then failed. What did you do?
- What does this story make you think about the ability of your brain to learn and improve over time?