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 The nervous system is a complex, sophisticated system that
regulates and coordinates the body's basic functions and activities. It is made
up of two major divisions, including the central nervous system (consisting of
the brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (consisting of all
other neural elements).
The nervous system is vulnerable to various disorders. Because
of its complexity and the high technology used in evaluation and treatment of
its disorders, the branches of medicine, physician specialists, and clinical
services that manage it are as numerous and varied as the disorders and
conditions.
Rodney Quinn, M.D.; Steve Otto,
M.D.; Michael Luzecky, M.D.; George Wong, III, M.D; Bernardo Flasterstein, M.D.;
and Arie Ashkenasi, M.D. see patients with muscular dystrophy or other
neuromuscular diseases throughout each month at St. John's Children's Specialty
Clinic. Please call 417-820-2229 for more information.
One Patient's
Story
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| Daniel enjoys playing pool with his
friends at The Rare Breed's youth outreach center in Springfield. |
Twenty-year-old Daniel Belzer's life
has revolved around epilepsy since he was 9 years old. After a childhood bout
with meningitis, Belzer began having seizures - sometimes two or three a day.
"Most of the time I would stare off into space or grab someone's hand if there
was someone standing next to me," Belzer says, describing his seizures.
"Sometimes I would fall and hit my head. I've had a few grand mal seizures,
which really hurt."
Because of his epilepsy, Belzer was not able to get a driver's license. Despite
medication, his seizures spiraled out of control once he entered high school.
About 30 percent of people who have epilepsy cannot control their condition with
medication. "I was always
worried about when a seizure would come on. I was really quiet and afraid to be
around people I didn't know. People made fun of me at school and I got into
fights. I switched from Stockton to El Dorado High School, but ended up dropping
out," Belzer says.
In 2005, Belzer
decided he had to do something to get his seizures under control.
Click here to read the complete story
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