PIEDMONT, Okla. -- Stem cell research is one of the newest and most exciting areas of study. Experts believe these tiny unwritten cells hold the keys to curing a number of diseases and debilitating injuries. But here in the U.S., stem cell research isn't moving fast enough for a growing number of families. <\/p>\n
This is the story of an Oklahoma family that traveled to China for cutting-edge stem cell treatment not offered in the US. <\/p>\n
Cora Beth Taylor walks a different road than most will ever travel. <\/p>\n
Her journey is filled with obstacles, heartbreak and triumph. <\/p>\n
Cora, William and Tate Taylor are triplets born premature. <\/p>\n
The brothers have never shown any signs of prematurity. <\/p>\n
But Cora, at about a year old, started falling behind developmentally. <\/p>\n
By 18 months she had been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. <\/p>\n
Cora has never had any cognitive delays. <\/p>\n
She's a super-smart little gal but her muscles haven't developed properly. <\/p>\n
It's devastating; they just won't cooperate. <\/p>\n
Cora's parents, Kevin and Beth Taylor, have tried everything for their little girl; that is, everything available in the U.S. <\/p>\n
Last year, Piedmont Schools raised the money to help the Taylors take Cora to China for treatment, close to $50,000. <\/p>\n
Research hospitals in China are using stem cells from donor umbilical cord blood to treat children with Cerebral Palsy. <\/p>\n
Beth Taylor says, \"That was a difficult decision to make to take your child to a foreign country for medical treatments. Living in the US you feel like this is the best there is.\" <\/p>\n
The Taylors spent 37 days in China. <\/p>\n
Cora Beth had eight stem cell transfusions. <\/p>\n
Through a spinal tap, doctors put the cells into her spinal column where they penetrate the blood-brain barrier and get to work. <\/p>\n
Critics are quick to point out this area of regenerative medicine has largely unverified effectiveness. Results are often anecdotal and the FDA is a long way from approving this type of experimental treatment for America. <\/p>\n
Though the Taylors are convinced and here's why. <\/p>\n
Beth Taylor said, \"Within the first couple of weeks we could see changes. We could see definite improvements in strength and balance.\" <\/p>\n
Cora had never been able to do a sit-up in her life ever; she did her first in China. <\/p>\n
Nine-year-old Cora remembers, \"The thing that I was most happy about accomplishing was a sit up. Because I'd tried to do a sit up before going to China but I just couldn't do it.\" <\/p>\n
Now, Cora Beth can do 20. <\/p>\n
The most notable change has been Cora's walk. <\/p>\n
This third-grader had never gone to school without her walker. <\/p>\n
Today she walks the halls without it; she hasn't used it in months. <\/p>\n
She recently competed in a beauty pageant in her hometown of Piedmont, without the help of her walker as well. <\/p>\n
Cora says, \"So, I'm really excited. I don't think there's anything that I couldn't accomplish.\" <\/p>\n
Doctors say Cora\u2019s stem cells will continue to mature over the next few years. <\/p>\n
For her, there are many milestones ahead. <\/p>\n
In the US, Duke University is studying stem cell treatments for children with Cerebral Palsy. <\/p>\n
Right now they don't have FDA clearance to use donor stem-cells. <\/p>\n
Experts say treatment similar to Cora Beth's Chinese therapy is years away in the U.S. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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