Stem cell man improving
Feb 7 2008 by Dominic Jones, Gwent Gazette


RADICAL stem cell treatment seems to have made an enormous improvement to Britain's youngest sufferer of Motor Neurone Disease.

Michael Emms, aged 20, and father Julian, 41, of South Bank, Beaufort, travelled to China in December for a month of treatment, involving stem cells being injected into Michael's spinal cord, funded largely by money raised by the people of Blaenau Gwent. Around £40,000 was raised in total.

Motor Neurone Disease is a condition that causes degeneration of muscle tissue and the stem cell treatment, which is still illegal in many western countries including the UK, aims to replace the damaged tissue with fresh cells injected into the body.

Having returned from their trip, the future is certainly looking brighter for Michael.

Before travelling to Beijing, he had lost the ability to move his hands and arms, and feared he may never walk again.

Now, following a month of treatment, physiotherapy and acupuncture, Michael's health seems to have taken a turn for the better.

Dad Julian explained that Michael has regained movement in his hands, arms, legs and feet and is able to walk short distances unaided.

Mr Emms said: "He feels a lot stronger in himself, mentally and physically.

"To see him able to stand on his own two feet again was fantastic.

"He thought he would never walk again."

Michael will be continuing to receive physiotherapy and acupuncture sessions at home and it is estimated that the full effect of the stem cell treatment could take up to seven or eight weeks.

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/...1466-20434203/