NAME: Zachary

COUNTRY: Canada

AGE: 17

DIAGNOSIS: Friedreich's Ataxia

REASON FOR COMING FOR TREATMENT:
Zach was born with Friedreich's Ataxia, a rare genetic disorder. Friedreich's Ataxia results in progressive damage to neural tissue in the cerebellum, an area of the brain involved in controlling movement, and the spinal cord. This progressive damage results in motor function problems--such as a lack of balance and slurred speech. When Zach was about 12 years old he started to wobble while walking. As time went on Zach's condition became progressively worse. Though he started going to the gym almost every day, he continued to lose strength. On the internet he learned that other patients with Friedreich's Ataxia had successfully received treatment in China and he and his parents decided it was the right thing for him to do as well.

TREATMENT: Umbilical cord stem cell and nerve growth factor injections with rehabilitation therapy.