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Stanley Newman is just three years old, but he’s already been fighting for his ife.
He has congenital muscular dystrophy, which is a disease that makes his muscle waste away. It also means that his heart could fail at any time. The disease affects just 400 children in the UK, where he’s from. Most who suffer from this condition don’t live past the age of 30.
His parents have been worrying for him since he was born. But now, thanks to a groundbreaking new device, they can worry about him much less.
He now has an electronic device in his chest. It’s part of a research project. They hope to give these devices to up to 100 patients worldwide.
The implant monitors his heart twenty-four hours a day. Doctors in Barcelona get the data, and can track his heart activity.
His parents told him that he was having a robot put inside of him to protect him. Stanley named it R2-D2.
It was a stressful surgery for the whole family, but Stanley handled it incredibly well.
“We originally thought the operation would be under general anesthetic, but on the day we were told it would be local. Stanley was awake through it,” said Stanley’s father, Rob.
“He was amazingly brave though. Within ten minutes of being out of theatre he was laughing and asking for fish fingers.”
The device will remain in his chest for three years, and can alert doctors to any problems so he can get treated as soon as possible.
“We learnt that children with Stanley’s condition have the highest chance of developing dangerous heart arrhythmias, more than any other neuromuscular condition,” said Rob. “We also learnt that implants have saved the lives of three children so far by alerting doctors to serious heart problems.”
The monitor will also help doctors create plans for those with Stanley’s heart problems, so that the best possible care can be taken.
Stanley’s family is very grateful for this device.
“It will help us all sleep a little easier,” said Stanley’s mother, Laura.
