Research Opportunity – Pediatric Hemiparesis Study

Update March 3, 2015 – This study is complete and is no longer recruiting participants. The Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) is assisting researchers in the Physical Therapy Department at the University of Minnesota with recruitment of participants for […]

New York Childhood Stroke Awareness Picnic

Join New York area families of children who are pediatric stroke survivors or who have hemiplegia for our 3rd Annual Picnic. Date: July 8th 2012 Time: 11:00am – 3:00pm Place: Wantagh Park – Covered Picnic area Please bring your favorite […]

Gabi is Riding Again

On January 24th, 2011, Gabi grabbed her head and stumbled to the ground and started to go unresponsive. Fifteen hours later, at midnight in the PICU, we found out that Gabi had had a stroke. It was sudden to say […]

Caitlyn’s Doing the Bum-scooting Boogie

Caitlyn has just been diagnosed in February with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy secondary to a Perinatal stroke. At 10 months old she was not able to sit up well even with support and with the hard work and support of great […]

Kids with Hemiplegia Can Play the Guitar

If you’re the parent of a child with hemiplegia or any disability, you just hate to think of telling your child that you don’t think they can do something. I like to think that my daughter can do just about […]

16 Years Later – A Story of Hope

Braden Kara was born by C-section after a long non productive labor.  Her apgar scores were both 9 and looking back, the only indication that something may not have been “normal” was a lazy looking left eye.  We started to […]

Watching and Waiting

James didn’t come into this world screaming; he came into it blue, breathless and almost lifeless following a complete placental abruption. Five days later we found out that his little brain had been spared damage from the loss of oxygen, […]

Strong as Steel Adaptive Sports

My son Trent, who has survived many hemorrhagic strokes in his young life, has right hemiplegic cerebral palsy and epilepsy.  He has always been a natural runner, running has seemed to come more easily to him than walking!  When he […]

CHASA Mascot Has a Name – Kandu

  We’ve named our mascot – Kandu! This name was selected because of the “can do” attitude held by so many of the children, teens, and adults who have hemiplegia or hemiparesis.  The name “Kandu” was submitted to our “Name […]

Jana’s Pediatric Stroke Streak – Pink Shoes – Day 4

I want to end the week with a light post — today I believe in Nike. Why, you ask? Because Nike has solved a huge problem in our house. For years I have been searching for “cool shoes” for Evie, […]

Brody’s Parents are Streaking for Pediatric Stroke

Don’t worry! They’re not running around naked for the entire month of May. In 2011, Rachel and Allan Watts were inspired to create a 133.1 mile running streak in honor of their youngest son, Brody.  Brody had a stroke just […]

Brody Had a Stroke Before He was Born – He’s a survivor!

Our son, Brody, had a stroke before he was born. This is often called an in-utero stroke or a perinatal stroke. We’re sharing our story to encourage other families and increase awareness of pediatric stroke. We’re also running for the […]

Pediatric Stroke Survivor Brody is Jumping

Brody is an in-utero stroke survivor who has struggled through every developmental milestone due to lack of muscle tone, balance, and coordination. After months and months of trying and lots of practice, Brody jumped off a platform! We are so […]

Being the Mom of a Stroke Survivor – No Easy Answers

Today I want to share a struggle I have with this whole “believe” theme. Believing in myself. Believing in my instincts. My daughter, Evie, had an episode this past weekend that scared the heck out of me. Unresponsive. Unsteady on […]

Julie’s Streak – Day 2 – Wednesday is Therapy Day

Even before Evan was diagnosed with having suffered a stroke, he started physical therapy. We may not have known what was causing him to keep his right hand in a fist, but fortunately, our pediatrician knew Evan needed some help. […]