Malcolm Gantt had always been healthy and active. So, when his mother, Monica Gantt, heard a thump come from his bedroom in the middle of the night, she thought he had probably just fallen out of bed. And he had. But when she asked him to get up, he was unable to understand her or move his right arm or leg.
“Though he was awake and looking around, he was not responding to anything,” Monica says. “I called 911 and his brother helped me get him back on the bed.”
Malcolm was taken to Children’s National Hospital where it was determined he had experienced a stroke due to a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a tangle of blood vessels that connects arteries and veins in the brain. A rare condition, most AVMs do not cause any signs or symptoms until they rupture. He was fortunate that the first responders arrived quickly.
During his acute admission, he was evaluated by physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy and was subsequently referred for inpatient rehabilitation. On Feb. 28, 2021, he was admitted to the National Center for Children’s Rehabilitation (NCCR) at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital.
“At the time, he was not able to walk or talk,” Monica explains.
During the next 6 weeks, Malcolm received physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreation therapy, psychological counseling, educational consultation, and continuous medical care—a treatment plan that was managed by Justin Burton, MD, medical director of the NCCR, and his team. He made excellent progress in his therapies and was discharged home on April 8, 2021.
“Malcolm loves football, which he started playing with a local youth group when he was 6,” Monica explains. “It was his desire to get back on the field that motivated him to get better.”
He continued with outpatient rehabilitation and was finally cleared to play football in the Fall of 2022. “Malcolm’s team was excited for him to be back, and he didn’t miss a beat. He did a great job on the field.”
Now 12-years-old, the 7th grader is doing much better. “We had a great team at NCCR,” Monica says. “I am so thankful that he is back to his old self and able to do what he loves.”