Health Matters: Little Boy Walking, Talking After Stem Cell Breakthrough

A little boy's family said they had no hope of him walking or talking, after he suffered a stroke during child birth, that caused him to have Cerebal Palsy.

"That was about 12 hours after birth causing a mild Cerebral Palsy to the left side of his brain, said Nicole Haynes."

But things would change for Drake after Nicole learned the cord blood, she had stored could play a remarkable role in changing Drakes life.

"Banking cord blood as a nurse, I knew was important, the stem cells from his cord blood can be frozen to be used later on in life."

Nicole said she never thought she'd have to use it for one of her children.

She is glad she did.

Drake is now taking part in a study at MCG Health in Augusta, Georgia, where his stem cells are being used to treat his Cerebal Palsy.

"By the 4th trip he was running through their building, we were chasing him through the hall, added Nicole."

Drake's mom also credits the program at Access School in Little Rock.

"Before the cord blood he only had a few sounds, while his friends had words. And now he is talking in three word phrases, he can request things that he needs, things that he wants, said Speech Therapist Barrett Feltus."

A remarkable breakthrough in stem cell research, giving Drake and his family hope of a brighter future.

"He's great because of that!"

Drake is the first little boy in Arkansas to be apart of this stem cell study.