Defying Medical Diagnosis, Woman Thrives with Half a Brain
The 37-year-old woman says that although she will need help for the rest of her life she wanted to tell her story to offer hope to others struggling with developmental disabilities.
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October 14, 2009
Most victims of pre-natal stroke either die or become severely brain damaged, but one woman's brain has managed to rewire itself, allowing her to live a relatively normal life.
Michelle Mack's doctors consider it to be nothing short of a miracle that someone whose left side of the brain never developed managed to graduate from high school and works from home as a data entry clerk, according to CNN.
The 37-year-old woman says that although she will need help for the rest of her life she wanted to tell her story to offer hope to others struggling with developmental disabilities.
"I [also] wanted to do this so people … realize that I'm normal but have special needs, and that there are a lot people like me, so that they could be more understanding," she told the news source.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 1.5 million Americans aged 6-64 live with intellectual disabilities. Their causes are complex and the same condition can affect different individuals in various ways; however, therapy, especially if implemented early, can help people affected by developmental disability achieve their full potential.
Moreover, even though some cases are impossible to prevent, it is well-established that women who are pregnant or who plan to become pregnant may reduce the risk of neurological birth defects by supplementing their diet with folic acid.
Among the many organizations working to help survivors lead fulfilling lives is Developmental Disabilities Institute which also accepts donations.
Most victims of pre-natal stroke either die or become severely brain damaged, but one woman's brain has managed to rewire itself, allowing her to live a relatively normal life.
Michelle Mack's doctors consider it to be nothing short of a miracle that someone whose left side of the brain never developed managed to graduate from high school and works from home as a data entry clerk, according to CNN.
The 37-year-old woman says that although she will need help for the rest of her life she wanted to tell her story to offer hope to others struggling with developmental disabilities.
"I [also] wanted to do this so people … realize that I'm normal but have special needs, and that there are a lot people like me, so that they could be more understanding," she told the news source.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 1.5 million Americans aged 6-64 live with intellectual disabilities. Their causes are complex and the same condition can affect different individuals in various ways; however, therapy, especially if implemented early, can help people affected by developmental disability achieve their full potential.
Moreover, even though some cases are impossible to prevent, it is well-established that women who are pregnant or who plan to become pregnant may reduce the risk of neurological birth defects by supplementing their diet with folic acid.
Among the many organizations working to help survivors lead fulfilling lives is Developmental Disabilities Institute which also accepts donations.
