I don't know why I haven't asked for help here before but...I'm a member of the Rhuematoid Arthritis group but I need to find help for my sister. It's a long story but I'll try to make it short. My sister, who is 57 has spastic hemepligia CP, She was diagnosed at about 2 years old and it affects her right side. She had several surgeries on her leg growing up but after that has never really had problems from it (medically speaking). A few years ago she had to have surgery on her upper neck because some disks were pressing on nerves and causing her to fall. It seems like after that surgery everything has gone down hill. She had to start using a walker. Her arm and leg on her right side have atrophied so bad that her arm is pulled up to her neck and she walks on her toes on the CP affected side. Of course having to walk this way has but a strain on all of her muscles and joints and she is in constant pain. She is on disability through PERS because she worked for an on-line school and cannot get on disability and she is absolutely financially broke. My mom and I and her daughter help her out but she can't afford physical therapy or even to go for a massage to loosen her muscles. She lives about 3 hours from where I live. Last year I had a social worker go to her house to see if she qualified for any help but they said no. Meanwhile she is getting worse because she can hardly even walk around her little apartment. Does anyone know how I can advocate for her to help her get medical treatment? It seems like there is nothing for adults with CP out there! I just got back from a visit with her and I am devastated to see how much worse she is getting. She doesn't even have a computer nor could she afford internet service if she had one. Any suggestions at all would be so much appreciated! Thank you!

Jackie