Al Vergona

USA, 67

Multiple System Atrophy

Previously diagnosed in the USA as Cerebellar Ataxia

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Reason for Coming for Treatment

Al's first signs of problems emerged when no amount of training improved his golf swing. A man used to achieving his goals through hard work and a sharp mind he looked around and at his doctor's recommendation he took Tai Chi. It didn't help. Other symptoms began to emerge including spatial-orientation issues, dizziness, fatigue, speaking challenges and excessive salivation. His doctor diagnosed him with Cerebellar Ataxia. Other early diagnoses included Sporadic Cerebellar Ataxia and Ideopathic Cerebellar Ataxia.

Treatment options for ataxia are extremely limited. It is considered an "orphaned" set of conditions by the pharmaceutical industry holding too few patients to justify the costs of research. Nothing seemed right for Al. After discovering adult stem cell therapy as an option he and his wife, Joanne, began doing their homework.

Al and Joanne booked to come in 2009 but his condition began to deteriorate quickly prompting them to move the therapy up to late 2008.

The rapidity of the condition's progression along with no known genetic link (many ataxias have a known genetic marker) puzzled Al and Joanne. During his therapy in China doctors continued to pursue a better diagnosis. Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a serious condition which initially presents like ataxia, was suggested as a possible diagnosis.

Course of Treatment

Six injections of umbilical cord blood stem cells, 1 IV and 5 spinals, along with daily physical therapy, acupuncture and electric wave therapy.

Condition After Treatment

At the end of his therapy cycle in December 2008 Al had begun to jump and jog again. He spoke of improvements in his motor skills, fatigue and stamina. He found himself less dizzy and also saw a decrease in salivation. He left China upbeat hoping to reconfigure his home gym to best accommodate a new exercise regimen he developed.

November 9 2009 Update

Al's diagnosis has been changed to Multiple System Atrophy. While the protocol followed at Qingdao's Chengyang People's Hospital does not differ in application between ataxia and MSA, the speed with which the condition's slide begins again can be quick. Joanne tells us that Al's MSA is progressing rapidly but "his attitude is very good. He feels everything is a learning experience."

In describing the therapy experience Joanne recently wrote:

"It was all that we could hope for. We were amazed at the care and thoughtfulness of everyone from the ladies who cleaned our rooms to the Nurses, Doctors and Physical Therapists. I told one of the Doctors (a young woman) how impressed we were with the kindness and care extended to us. Her answer was beautiful. She said very simply 'that is our job'. Everyone should have such a wonderful work ethic."