Miracle Kids

Sam

In the first 48 hours after his birth, little Sam Gist caused his parents enough worry to last a lifetime.

His mother, Ashley Kallina Gist, M.D., sensed that something was terribly wrong only moments after Sam’s birth on May 4, 2003. Dr. Gist and her husband Stephen, were devastated to learn that their baby had suffered a stroke, probably while he was still in the womb.

When an MRI confirmed that Sam had bleeding in his brain, his parents were shocked. After all, Dr. Gist had taken excellent care of herself during the pregnancy and there was no family history of birth complications.

The stroke was diagnosed soon after birth, which gave occupational therapists the advantage of working with Sam at the onset.

He began therapy at age 4 weeks that included eye control, muscle tone and head motion. It was important to make sure Sam learned to use the side of his body affected by the stroke – his right side.

In addition to the therapy he received at Scott & White, his family continued daily therapy plans prescribed by the therapist at home.

Because the stroke was diagnosed early, Sam received treatment almost immediately – and because he was born at Scott & White, he received the best treatment available.

Today Sam is a healthy 4-year-old with virtually no side effects of his prenatal stroke.

“We will always watch him carefully and monitor his speech and motor skills,” says Dr. Gist. “Sam is miracle to begin with, but his progress has been truly miraculous. We thank God for him and for everyone at Scott & White who has taken such good care of him.”

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