Utete, TZ – Diagnosis helps doctors provide treatment for local boy – 27 Jan 2017

Doctors in Dar es Salaam believe they have diagnosed Bashiruni’s developmental disorder and now he is making faster progress improving motor skills.

Bashiruni was born to Mama AOM in May 2014. Doctors immediately realized he was having trouble breathing. Over the first few months of his life, Bashiruni returned to the hospital many times and by the end of his first year doctors were concerned that he was not developing motor skills as quickly as most children. They hypothesized that complications during birth had cut off his oxygen supply. Despite challenges, they believed he still had a chance at gaining full motor skills.

At the end of 2016 doctors diagnosed Bashiruni with Cerebral Palsy, caused by lack of oxygen during and shortly after his birth. The diagnosis limits the doctor’s expectations about how much Bashiruni will develop mentally and physically but also gives them greater clarity about how to proceed with therapy.

Recently, Bashiruni has been making encouraging improvements including picking up items without assistance, keeping his head up, and moving his feet in a walking motion when he is held close to the ground. Mama AOM also reports that he has been happier and seemed less uncomfortable than he used to.

In October 2016 Mama AOM purchased a stroller. This makes it easier for her to work because she doesn’t need to keep Bashiruni on her back. It also means other children can look after Bashiruni sometimes. He enjoys being around other kids and Mama AOM enjoys being free to complete chores for a few hours each day.