It takes a village to raise twin boys

Amanda and Aaron from Croudace Bay were overjoyed when they fell pregnant with their first child. They were even more excited, albeit a little nervous, when they found out they were having twins. Like most new mums, Amanda read all the books and did all the research. Amanda and her husband are both full-time professionals and hadn’t had much experience until their identical twin boys were born.

Logan and Harry, their identical twin boys, were born prematurely at 33 weeks. Although they spent some time in NICU, the twins passed all their newborn tests with flying colours and finally headed home with their elated parents.

The boys were progressing as expected until Amanda thought the boys were slow to hit some of their milestones. She voiced her concerns to medical professionals but was assured it was fine – “The boys are only slightly delayed in hitting milestones, there is nothing to worry about” she was told.

It was when the boys began learning to walk that Amanda knew there was something more going on. To most, it simply looked like Logan and Harry were trying to walk, they were simply unsteady on their feet. However, the new parents felt their twins were falling much more than other children. This, coupled with the previous behaviours they had identified – slow to crawl and difficulty holding their head up – Amanda and Aaron sought answers.

Eventually, Logan and Harry were diagnosed with hereditary spastic paraplegia and were referred to Cerebral Palsy Alliance in Croudace Bay, NSW, where they began early intervention physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Spastic paraplegia presents similarly to cerebral palsy. It is a neurological disorder that causes muscle weakness, stiffness and spasms amongst other symptoms.

Logan and Harry attend therapy sessions, which now also include speech therapy, at least once a week. Amanda and Aaron could not be happier with their sons’ progress.

In the beginning, both boys were having trouble eating, swallowing and drinking, let alone communicating. Now, they can express themselves, are forming and pronouncing words correctly and are busy preparing for kindergarten.

Due to the weakness of their lower limbs, both Harry and Logan wear ankle-foot orthosis (AFOs) which are worn to assist with strength, joint instability, and muscle tone. They also help to correct their foot placement when walking by promoting a heel-toe motion. With the support of their team of therapists, the twins have built the strength and ability to stand, move and play confidently while wearing their AFOs. There is even a focus on the correct ways to stretch and manage pain, especially at night. Up next, conquering a bicycle!

According to Amanda, the care, knowledge, commitment and support she receives from Cerebral Palsy Alliance in Croudace Bay continues to be second to none. Her ultimate goal for Harry and Logan is for them to be equipped with the tools they need to follow their own path, independently. It may be a modified path, but with the support of Cerebral Palsy Alliance at Croudace Bay, Amanda knows her boys are well on their way to achieving their full potential.