Cerebral Palsy Institute Empowers Patients and Families

Kate Harkness was born at 23 weeks and two days.

She spent 158 days in the neonatal intensive care unit and had five surgical procedures. When Kate was finally able to go home, her parents were told they would need to monitor her closely and suggested they reach out to the cerebral palsy (CP) specialists at Gillette Children’s.

“We were told that Gillette Children’s is the place to go,” Kate’s mother, Sarah says. “It sets the bar on caring for kids who have cerebral palsy.”

An institute built upon a history of excellence

Gillette Children’s Cerebral Palsy Institute is made up of medical experts and scientists who are driven to make discoveries and conduct research to help all people who have cerebral palsy. We treat all forms of cerebral palsy—including the most severe.

Gillette Children’s was established in 1897 to help children live a life about their dreams, not their diagnosis. 125 years later, we remain committed to making those dreams a reality for our patients and their families.

Treating all forms of cerebral palsy

The James R. Gage Center for Gait and Motion Analysis is the first-ever to be accredited and among the world’s best centers of its kind. Using innovative computer technology, motion analysis captures movement, muscle activity, and forces that the eye can’t see. Once a child has their gait and motion analyzed, a team of specialists crafts an individualized treatment plan tailored to each child.

Gillette Children’s was the first hospital in Minnesota to perform selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery to help reduce muscle spasticity. We’re also experts in single-event multilevel surgery (SEMLS) to help with issues in a child’s muscles, bones and joints.

Our rehab program shines

Gillette Children’s has one of the largest groups of physicians in physical medicine and rehabilitation and the largest group of pediatric orthopedic surgeons in the upper Midwest. These doctors are highly trained and specialize in treating children who have cerebral palsy.

Gillette Children’s also connects with patient families via virtual care appointments. Traveling for rehabilitative therapy or to see a specialist might not be easy for some families. We also provide virtual therapy for families who live in rural areas. Like in-person therapy, virtual rehab treats lifelong conditions like cerebral palsy, and helps children gain strength and independence.

A child, not a diagnosis

Gillette Children’s is proud to work side by side with families to help each child live their own story. We get to know our patients, learn about their individual goals and tailor the treatment we provide to help them reach them.

“As a parent, when you hear cerebral palsy you’re sort of in shock,” Sarah Harkness says. “But our family philosophy is ‘we never set limits.’ If there’s a mountain to climb, we are going to climb it. Gillette Children’s has done wonders for our family and will be part of our life for a long time. Your kids will show you just how strong they are, and at Gillette Children’s, you’re in a place where you have everything you need to make that possible.”

Providing transformational care for patients and families

The Cerebral Palsy Institute formally brings together our continued work to innovate, evolve and center our patients and their families in every aspect of the care we provide.

The providers at Gillette Children’s see more than 4,000 children who have cerebral palsy each year. This patient volume, combined with our focus on research and the overall expertise of our care team, uniquely positions Gillette Children’s to improve the health and well-being of individuals who have cerebral palsy everywhere.