Embracing Diversity and Overlooking
Disability
By Cassie Sue Mitchell
All of my life, I had
been immersed in athletics and academics. I had been involved in
varsity track, basketball, and high school rodeo. My senior year
I obtained a track scholarship to a superb private premedical
school and won several world event and all-around titles in western
equestrian speed events like barrel racing, pole bending, and stake
race. I was a member of my high school’s
academic bowl team, and I took every advanced math and science class
available at my small country school in preparation for the pre-medical
degree I so badly wanted. Even before my disability’s onset,
I wanted to make a difference in patients’ lives by being a
surgeon.
However, life changed
abruptly during my senior year of high school and early college
years. The severe, fast onset of spinal demyelination diagnosed
as progressive multiple sclerosis eventually left me paralyzed
from about mid-chest down and decreased my upper dexterity. Since
I obviously couldn’t run, the track scholarship was off. Additionally,
decreased dexterity made me question the feasibility of being a surgeon.
During this time, I developed intense burning pain and severe spasticity
which is sometimes seen with severe spinal damage. No medication
I took, including oral baclofen, helped with the spasticity. My physician
implanted a Medtronic pump for ITB TherapySM (Intrathecal Baclofen
Therapy) to help with the leg spasms that made simply sitting in
a wheelchair difficult. Without this therapy, school would not have
been an option as writing and transfers were also difficult.
Due to the loss of the
track scholarship, the radical adjustments to life in a wheelchair,
and frequent physician visits, I decided to go to Oklahoma State
University (OSU) in Stillwater, Oklahoma to pursue a B.S. in chemical
engineering with a biomedical option on an academic scholarship.
This degree sounded exciting. Though I didn’t know much about it, I knew it involved math, science,
problem solving, and had “biomedical” in the name which
meant medicine could be involved somehow. I fell in love with engineering—it
was so practical and made so much sense. I served on the executive
committee for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers for 4
years; was a founding member of ChemKidz, a community service organization
promoting science and engineering through practical experimental
demonstrations; and I performed undergraduate research.
During the summers before
my junior and senior years, I worked as a chemical engineer for
two major petroleum companies. I was able to use my engineering
skills to provide what were considered great contributions. Despite
my love to solve engineering problems, my heart ached and longed
for a career in the medical field where contributions are measured
in lives and lives changed instead of just dollars. My Medtronic
Neurological representative made an impact on me. He was so kind
and knowledgeable with a smile that said “compassion.” I
thought he had the perfect job, seeing and helping patients each
day from the operating room to simple office visits. I wanted to
make a difference like that.
During my senior year, I applied for fellowships to go to graduate
school. I wanted to work for Medtronic Neurological and learned that
many researchers had PhDs. So, I applied to some of the top biomedical
engineering schools. I decided on the joint biomedical engineering
PhD program at Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University
School of Medicine because of the unique opportunity to take medical
classes and the outstanding neuroengineering program for which I
received an IGERT (integrated tissues and neural engineering) fellowship.
I received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
to fund the remainder of my schooling.
I pushed hard to get
a Medtronic internship during my first year of grad school — applying
on the web, talking to Medtronic at career fairs, and applying
for an internship through the IGERT program. My persistence and
numerous emails finally paid off when I got the opportunity to
come to Medtronic as an intern for the summer of 2005. It was awesome!
It was everything I could have imagined and more. I was stunned
by castle-like facilities, but more than anything I was amazed
by the people. From housekeeping to the top executives, everyone
was approachable, spoke with a welcoming smile, and had overwhelming
compassion for their jobs and for the mission and goals of the
company. Additionally, employees embrace diversity and overlook
disability. I am flabbergasted by Medtronic’s dedication and
contribution to programs to help the disabled.
As an intern at Medtronic Neurological I was constantly, happily
busy, working on meaningful projects where I could make a difference.
Besides report writing, I presented my work to various departments
and divisions via presentations. I also had opportunities for personal
development; I attended various training classes, technical seminars
and forums. I also made personal visits to people doing research
in an effort to obtain ideas and opinions on possible PhD projects.
I am now starting my second year of graduate research and am in
the process of expounding my research ideas in preparation for my
proposal. One thing I know for sure is that my PhD research will
involve enhancing Medtronic Neurological therapies through engineering
design and physiological determination of therapy and/or condition
mechanisms. I have to thank my parents, especially my Mom, who has
supported me emotionally and physically from the beginning; Medtronic
Neurological for making my education and career possible via my life
changing ITB Therapy and for the opportunity to be an intern; the
numerous educators at OSU, Georgia Tech, and Emory who have had faith
in my abilities despite my disabilities; and God who has allowed
me to persevere.
The story above represents
one individual’s experience with
ITB Therapy. Results vary; not every individual will receive the
same benefits. Side effects can occur. For more information, please
see the below patient information.
Patient Information
LIORESAL® INTRATHECAL
(baclofen injection 40 mg/20 mL, 10 mg/5 mL, 10 mg/20 mL, 0.05 mg/1
mL)
Completely read this information
before you start using Medtronic ITB TherapySM (Intrathecal Baclofen
Therapy). This information does not take the place of thorough discussions
with your doctor. You and your doctor should discuss ITB Therapy
before you begin receiving the therapy and at regular refill appointments.
What is Lioresal® Intrathecal
(baclofen injection)?
Lioresal Intrathecal is a
liquid form of baclofen, and is commonly used to treat severe spasticity.
Liquid baclofen is used for injections and infusion into the intrathecal
space (the fluid-filled area surrounding the spinal cord), using
an implantable drug delivery system.
What is severe spasticity?
Severe
spasticity is tight, stiff muscles that make movements - especially
of the arms and legs - difficult or uncontrollable. Severe spasticity
can interfere with an individual’s function
and/or comfort.
Who is a candidate for
Lioresal Intrathecal?
People who suffer from severe
spasticity resulting from cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke,
traumatic brain injury, or spinal cord injury, and who suffer intolerable
side effects from oral baclofen (pills), may be a candidate for Lioresal
Intrathecal. A screening test will help determine if you will respond
to the intrathecal medication. Talk with your doctor about whether
Lioresal Intrathecal may be an option for you.
Who is not a candidate for
Lioresal Intrathecal?
People
who are hypersensitive (extremely sensitive) to oral baclofen should
not take Lioresal Intrathecal.
What are the most common side
effects of Lioresal Intrathecal?
The
side effects of intrathecal baclofen include loose muscles, sleepiness,
upset stomach, vomiting, headaches, and dizziness. As with most
medications, overdose (drug dose is too high) or underdose (drug
dose is too low) can occur. Talk with your doctor about the side
effects you may experience from your treatment.
What do I need to know if
I am using Lioresal Intrathecal?
Abruptly stopping intrathecal
baclofen can result in serious medical problems and in rare cases
has been fatal. It is important to keep your pump filled with medication
by attending regularly scheduled refill appointments.
What are the
signs of rapid or abrupt withdrawal from intrathecal baclofen?
Increase
or return in spasticity, itching, low blood pressure, lightheadedness,
and tingling sensation are often early indications of baclofen
withdrawal. It is very important that your doctor be called right
away if you experience any of the above symptoms.
In rare cases, severe symptoms
may occur. These symptoms include high fever, altered mental status,
spasticity worse than before you started ITB Therapy, and muscle
rigidity. It is very important that your doctor be called right away
if you experience any of the above symptoms.
What can I do to prevent
baclofen underdose or abrupt discontinuation of intrathecal baclofen?
It
is very important that you keep all of your refill appointments.
This may require some planning prior to traveling. Maintaining
a regular refill schedule will ensure the pump does not run out of
medication and that any potential problems with the infusion system
are diagnosed and corrected. Additionally, you should be aware
of what your pump alarms sound like. If you hear the alarm, contact
your doctor immediately.
Furthermore, it is very important
that you know and understand the signs of baclofen underdose. Also
be sure to tell your doctor right away if you experience any unusual
symptoms, side effects, or changes in your condition.
What are the
symptoms of baclofen overdose?
Although rare, it is possible
for you to receive too much medication (overdose). A baclofen overdose
may cause drowsiness, lightheadedness, respiratory depression (difficulty
breathing), seizures, loss of consciousness and coma. If you experience
any of the above symptoms, it is very important that you or your
caregiver contact your doctor right away.
This provides a summary of the most important information about
Lioresal Intrathecal. If you would like more information, talk with
your doctor. You can ask for information about Lioresal Intrathecal
that is written for healthcare professionals. You also can get more
information by visiting www.spasticity.com.
Rx only. Lioresal® is
a registered trademark of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
