Warm Springs Patient Stories

Micaela Johnston

Micaela Johnston was 8 months old when she was adopted by a loving couple who vowed to care and love her for the rest of her life.  Abandoned in a hotel room as an infant, Micaela spent the first months of her life in an orphanage in China.  Determined to have a child to call their own, Kay Lynn Johnston traveled to China to bring this beautiful girl home. 

At first glance little Micaela was the perfect picture of health, but Kay Lynn’s motherly instincts told her something wasn’t quite right.  During Micaela’s first visit to the pediatrician Kay Lynn’s concern was validated. The doctor ordered an MRI to determine why Micaela wasn’t responding as expected for her age.  Results showed that Micaela had Cerebral Palsy. 

Little Micaela began receiving therapy at Warm Springs immediately after the diagnoses.  Over the years, and with the help of Warm Springs therapists, Micaela has reached many milestones like holding her bottle at 12 months, sitting up on her own at 14 months and walking with a brace at 17 months.  The things that come naturally to most children have been difficult but not impossible for Micaela.

Today, Micaela is a seven-year old first grade student who loves school.  Through physical and occupational therapy sessions at Warm Springs, Micaela has been able to develop the skills and confidence necessary to enjoy the freedom and pleasures of being a child. 

“Our concentration with children like Micaela is on strengthening, balance, coordination and retraining the affected area.  Our focus during therapy is to work with her so she can enjoy the things kids her age are doing like skipping, skating, hop scotch and bike riding,” said Todd Schwartz, physical therapist at the Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital.  “Micaela has come a long way; she is enjoying and participating in some of the same things her friends do.”