Wednesday
Aug 21, 2019 at 2:01 AM
NEW WINDSOR – Joseph Federico, 5, of New Windsor is among 16 kids with traumatic brain injury, who graduated Aug. 16 from the Intensive Upper Extremity Summer Program at Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla.
When Joseph was 3, he had a brain aneurysm that burst from an underlying vein malformation. Doctors saved his life, but he was left paralyzed on his left side and without 40 percent of his skull after numerous surgeries. He was transferred to Blythedale Children’s Hospital for medical management and rehabilitation. After going home, he was enrolled in the day hospital program. Joseph is set to begin kindergarten this fall at Mt. Pleasant Blythedale School, New York’s only public school at a hospital.
The program, now in its ninth year, helps kids between 5-12 years old with weakness or decreased use of one arm due to hemiplegia from cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke or other diagnoses. A typical day in the program includes activities like arts and crafts, sports, self-care and sensory play—all with the goal of increasing function and strength to the weaker hand.
Although Joseph had to relearn to walk, talk and eat on his own, he’s becoming a typical boy again excited to play baseball (his favorite sport).