 |
|
|
|
|
| Help Madalin Olsen By CBS 2 News Chicago, IL Tuesday, March 05, 2002 10:30 PM Imagine if your body was mistakenly attacking your own brain? That is what is happening to a two-year-old Indiana girl. However, a new treatment may help Madalin Olson beat her disease. Dr. Breen reports. Nationwide Madalin's illness strikes just 30 children a year. Her body is attacking itself, an attack that began as a complete surprise. Madalin olson gets a shot every other day and it is the only way to prevent her body from attacking and destroying her brain. Madalin was a normal baby and then last February 14th her eyes started blinking, her body jerking and within two days her entire body was shaking out of control. Jennifer Olson, Madalin's mother, said, "I was terrified. I was absolutely terrified." Tests showed Madalin had a tumor on her spine but then Madeline's mother was told even worse news. What could be worse than a spinal tumor? Madalin's body was attacking her tumor and the problem was it was also mistakenly attacking her own brain. Madalin's brain was shrinking. And that's why shots of steroids have blocked Madalin's immune system and done the impossible. They have turned her back into a near normal two-year-old girl. The shots make Madalin bloated and raise her blood pressure. A new once-a-month treatment could help replace her shots but that also has a price. Her mother said, "That can range up to $20,000 dollars a treatment." And she is not sure if insurance will pay for the treatment. So far Madalin's body is fighting itself to a draw and her mother intends to keep it that way. "She's going to go to college and she's going to get married and she's going to have children," said Jennifer. Madalin's father is also very determined. CBS 2 News couldn't see him because he was at work. The monthly treatments would just last one year and that could make all the difference. If you would like to help, the Olson's friends have set up a benefit fund for Madalin. Send contributions to: Benefit Fund for Madalin Centier Bank 433 Main St. Hobart, Indiana, 46342 |