CHILD WITH CP IS SET TO GET NEW TREATMENT

SCOTT CITY -- Ryan Miller quietly answers his fathers questions: Where are we going? Canada. Why? To help me walk.

For Ryan, 4, and his parents, a new treatment called therapeutic electrical stimulation offers a chance for Ryan to walk independently. The child has cerebral palsy.

The therapy provides low-level electrical stimulation to muscles and is thought to promote muscle growth and strengthening. It is performed only at the Magee Clinic in Toronto.

The treatment is not covered by insurance.

Neighbors and friends of the Millers are planning a benefit dance Jan. 29 from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Kelso Knights of Columbus Hall to raise money for the trip to Canada and the therapy. For information about tickets, call 264-3221.

"Information about things like this is so hard to find; you have to search and search," said Ryan's mother, Sonya Miller.

The treatment was introduced to the Millers by Stephanie McClure, their physical therapist at Children's Hospital in St. Louis.

"She knows how we are and that we would probably be interested. This is another thing that might help him walk better and walk independently," said Ryan's father Tommy Miller.

The couple talked with parents of other children who had the treatment and decided to make application for Ryan.

"We talked to a family with a son who is 4 1/2. He was able to ride a bike for the first time," Sonya Miller said.

"It really does seem to work," Tommy Miller said. "The parents we have talked to all have recommended we try it."

The electrical stimulation is not the first experimental procedure Ryan has undergone.

Two years ago he had a surgical procedure called selective dorsal rhizotomy, which removed dead nerve endings in his spine and connected the living one.

Since the surgery Ryan has learned to walk, first using a walker and now two canes. But, Ryan wants to walk by himself.

"That's his goal so that's our goal," said his father.

They will spend three days at the Toronto clinic in February. Ryan will be assessed and a treatment plan made. They will also learn to use the equipment.

After the three-day training, they will return home to do the treatments. He could participate in the therapy for two to four years.

Six nights a week he will be connected to the electronic stimulus machine. His father said the stimulation seems to work best while muscles are resting.

The procedure was developed in 1988 with a 3-year-old child who was spine-damaged at birth. She was subjected to a gentle version of the electrical-jolt stimulus athletes use to build muscle.

Since that time, 2,000 patients have participated.

Ryan had to be accepted into the program, said Tommy Miller. They sent a video of Ryan and various medical and therapy reports.

"A team views each case. They said Ryan was a very good candidate," Tommy Miller said.

"They say we should see progress in six to 12 weeks," Sonya Miller said.

"We take so much for granted. You walk in and sit down without thinking about it. Ryan has to think about it. It's a challenge," she said.

"He is so determined. He has worked so hard."

Ryan has physical, occupational, speech and horseback therapy every week.

Tommy Miller said: "If there is a chance this might help him even a little bit, we're going to take it. I want him to know we did everything we possibly could to help him. He is a terrific kid. He never complains. If he doesn't complain, how can we?"