OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — A patient at Nebraska Medicine has been working to improve something that most take for granted every day, using our hands for everyday tasks.
Ashley Corbin has Acquired Torsion Dystonia, which about 250,000 Americans have. Corbin has this as well as Cerebral Palsy.
For the past four years, this is what Friday mornings look like for Corbin at Nebraska Medicine.
"It's really helped me to get where I'm at to get movement," Corbin said.
She works with her therapist Stacy Reichmuth, who helps align Ashley's left arm, which is affected by Acquired Torsion Dystonia by completing repetitive tasks like one with blocks to address plasticity and tightness.
"We are working her hand muscles to promote grip and pinch," Reichmuth said. "High repetition is the goal to help her produce motor control and communication from her brain to her arm."
During her journey of treatment, Corbin's gotten some help from the rock of the band Kiss. From the decorations in her room, to the music that's in her head getting her through days like this.
Corbin says the band's music helps her prepare for the rehab.
Her mom Liz has been by her side at concerts and rehab ever since Ashley was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis at four months old. For 34 years, Liz has helped her daughter through the obstacles of Dystonia.
"Bathing needs, eating, now she's able to help herself in getting dressed when beforehand i had to dress her," Liz said.
Ashley will look ahead to the next four years, continuing to build on what she's accomplished.
"It takes a lot of strength to do it," Corbin said. "It's not very easy to do what everybody does."
Liz wants to keep encouraging others who are going through conditions like her daughter's.
