Janice Brunstrom, MD
Pediatric Neurologist
St. Louis Children's Hospital
- Founded the Pediatric Neurology Cerebral Palsy Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
- Dr. Brunstrom, who has Cerebral Palsy herself, also is the co-founder of several other programs for kids with CP, including “Camp Independence”- the nation’s only sports camp designed specifically for children with CP. Other programs include a CP martial arts program, a CP biking program, and a CP art workshop.
- An avid cyclist and dancer, Dr. Brunstrom shows her patients that they can accomplish anything despite being born with CP.
- Dr. Brunstrom and her colleagues are presently investigating new methods of physical and drug therapy to improve motor function in patients with cerebral palsy.
- Specializes in the care and treatment of children with cerebral palsy, spasticity, cerebral cortex disorders, seizures, epilepsy, cognitive disorders and other neurological disorders
- Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine
Notable quotes from Dr. Brunstrom:
Dr. Brunstrom on the side effects of immobility for CP patients:
“If you, who are able-bodied, choose to be couch potatoes, you may become out of shape, but you can still get up off the couch and move to get things. But I cannot afford to be a couch potato, and neither can my patients or anyone else with CP. Chronic pain, fractures, scoliosis, and hip dislocation are all side effects of immobility for patients with CP.”
Dr. Brunstrom on the benefits of sports and fitness for CP patients:
“One of the biggest ways to get these kids more aerobically fit and stronger is getting them involved in sports. I’ve seen kids who never thought they would be able to ride a bike, ride a bike. The goal is to make any sport accessible—I want there to come a day when they can choose any sport and make fitness a lifestyle.”