On the morning of October 11, 2010, two baby boys were born at Atlanta Medical Center; three hours apart, to same midwife and pediatrician.

Both mothers were healthy and had normal pregnancies with no indication of abnormality. But their two babies were both born with a rare condition called Arthrogryposis, a congenital disorder characterized by multiple joint contractures, muscle weakness, and fibrosis.

There are 400 possible types of this disorder and any part of the body can be affected. One baby's limbs were affected while the other was born with a severe contracture of the spine, curving his body into a "C" shape, leaving him unable to eat or breathe. This second baby was rushed to the ICU and hooked up to a breathing machine and feeding tube through his nose. Shortly thereafter, he was medevaced to Scottish Rite Hospital where he stayed for the first several weeks of his life.

Meanwhile, the first baby was stable. He was able to latch and nurse, and his breathing was normal, yet his arms and hands looked paralyzed, he had no discernible elbows, and his toes were at his ears due to severe stiffness in his hips. After three days, he was discharged to go home.

The midwife, Margaret Strickhouse, has delivered over 5,000 babies in her career and had never seen Arthrogryposis before that October morning when she delivered two affected babies in one day. This a very rare and unlikely story, as only 1 out of every 3,000 babies in America are born with this condition, 30% of which don't survive.

Tragically, of the two babies born that day, one lived, and one did not. The baby who's spine was so severely affected simply could not sustain life, while the baby who's limbs were affected was blessed with a healthy heart, lungs, and organs.

Bash Hagelin is the baby that survived. This is his story.
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When Bash wad born, he was extremely stiff in his knees, wrists, elbows and shoulders. It was immediately apparent that he had had extremely limited movement during gestation, with limp, lifeless arms and hands, and very thin, stiff legs.

In the most common type of arthrogryposis, hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, feet and knees are affected. In the most severe types, nearly every joint is involved, including the jaw and back.
Frequently, the contractures are accompanied by muscle weakness, which further limits movement.

Bash was born with very weak and underdeveloped muscles in his shoulders and arms, particularly his biceps. Because he was born without the ability to bend his elbows, his biceps never had the opportunity to engage, fire, and grow as a result of flexion at the elbow.

All of Bash's therapists and doctors, are very encouraged, and note that he has a very mild case. Some say its the most mild they have ever seen. One can recover from this condition and become symptom free. This is the intention we hold clear.
When Bash was 10 days old we took him to an Osteopath, Dr Armond in Suwannee, and after one treatment, he “grew” a neck and his breathing went from high chest breaths to healthy low belly breathing.

Encouraged, we continued the treatments and he started to grow what looked like elbows.

This was the beginning of Bash's healing journey

Now at seven months old, Bash has received world class holistic treatment in our dedication to enabling our son to bend his elbows and feed himself.

In addition to standard medical therapies such as physical and occupational therapy, Bash has received:

Osteopathic care, Chiropractic, Massage, Acupuntcure, Cranio Sacral Therapy, Reiki, Quantum Clearing, and AlphaSonic Soundwave Therapy.

And now at 7 almost 8 months he has come very far. But still has a long way to go to be fully functional.

Everyday Bash gets better and better.

In order to walk, he must increase the range of motion for standing and stepping, to get at least a 90 degree bend in his knees. He is almost there! Every degree helps!

He is able to lift is arms to above his belly button, using his strong back and lat muscles. In order to lift his arms and hands any higher than that, he must gain much strength and muscle in his shoulder (deltoid) muscles.

His hands seem to be more and more active every day, but in order to grab and hold, he needs to gain much strength in his fingers and thumbs.

His elbows are the most affected. His biceps are not able to grow because of the lack of motion. He can not yet bend his elbows on his own and when stretched passively, can get about a 50-60degree bend.

In order to eat, he needs at least a 90 degrees of flexion at the elbow.

His parents, Nick and Christina want to make sure he will be independent and are doing everything possible.

The first three years of his life are when the body responds best to the therapies.

There are many different therapies he needs and the cost is high, even with insurance.

As a classic "million dollar baby," he qualifies for state programs such as Babies Can't Wait, which sends therapists to the house every week to supplement the therapies that insurance covers.

From months 1-5 of his life, Bash was in therapy 5 times a week, but currently, due to limited financial resources, and the compounded cost of such consistent treatment, Nick and Christina have had to cut back.

We hope your donations can help Bash continue his treatment.
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Outlined below are the current expenses that we face on Bash's Journey to Bendiness!

RECURRING:
Humana Monthly Insurance Premium = $550
Arm and Hand Specialist (Orthopedist) = $60
Serial Casting every week to get bend in his elbows= $240 per month
Lower Body Specialist (Orthopedist)= $60
Physical Therapy Weekly= $400 per session
Occupational Therapy (how to use his hands) = $700 per session
Hand, Elbow, and Feet Splints (he gets new ones about every month)= $1000
Feldenchrist Massage -shows his brain how to move his body for neuro connections (weekly) = $75
Acupunture (weekly) = $50
Chiropractic (weekly) = $40
Cranio Sacral Intensives (8-16 hr treatments)= $125 (hourly)
Pedatrician monthly check ups= $50

ACCUMULATED:
Accumulated Hospital Bills from Birth to Present = $3,762.57
Deductible for Treatments at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta = $2,500
Out of network deductible for specialist Occupational and Craniosacral Therapies = $2,500
Lab Tests = $463.25
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If you would prefer to mail a check, please:
Make check out to: Christina Hagelin
Memo Note: Kelly & Dustin
Send to: Maria Thacker, 1793 Beacon Hill Blvd. NE Atlanta, GA 30329