Madison was a beautiful baby girl in perfect health until nine weeks of age. Left in the care of her father while her mother worked evenings she was violently abused by her father. His first 911 call resulted in a "normal baby exam" by paramedics at the scene. Later brain imaging revealed a brain bleed from this first episode. Two nights later mom returned from work to innumerable flashing lights, police cars, and paramedics rushing her blue non-breathing baby into a waiting ambulance. Madison had suffered severe brain trauma and cardio-respiratory arrest. Within hours she had massive brain swelling and virtually no neurological activity which lead to repeated recommendations by physicians to remove life support. Mom steadfastly refused.

Over the ensuing days she searched for help and eventually consulted Dr. Harch about HBOT. Immediate HBOT was recommended, but was unable to be obtained. Due to the child's instability and critical care demands transfer to New Orleans for free-standing HBOT was not possible. Eventually, Madison progressed off life support and was taken home. Four months after her injuries she was stable enough for transportation to New Orleans.

On presentation in New Orleans Madison was found to have a blank stare, minimal response to stimulation, blindness, dense paralysis below the waist from spinal cord injury, and seizures. SPECT brain imaging showed a brain with almost no blood flow to the higher centers; only the deep structures and brain stem were functioning. Due to her fragile state, Dr. Harch did not scan her again after the first HBOT to see if improvement could be demonstrated with one treatment. Instead, treatment was begun right away. Within the first two weeks of HBOT her seizures decreased dramatically and she began to respond to voices and stimulation. By 40 treatments she was a different child. Seizure medication was weaned and she proceeded to another 40 treatments. Repeat brain imaging showed marked improvement in blood flow consistent with her clinical condition. The brain scans are featured in the second congressional testimony of Dr. Harch [presented on the International Hyperbaric Medical Association (IHMA) website: www.hyperbaricmedicalassociation.org] and in Chapter 18 of the K.K. Jain Textbook of Hyperbaric Medicine, 4th Edition by Hogrefe and Huber Publishers (available by discount through the IHMA).

In the last two months Madison has begun to visually track people as they move in front of her and has started to move her legs. Her story was the motivation for her grandmother, Sue Ann Worsley, to write a book on child abuse, titled "I Am Still Standing,", published by Publish America. More details about Madison can be obtained from www.nanna99.cityslide.com and www.sueworsley.com. The book can be purchased from www.publishamerica.com, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon. Dr. Harch has assisted in and/or personally treated two additional children with Shaken Baby Syndrome with the same encouraging results.