Austin Thelen-Olins is now 12- years-old. This photo was taken in 2009, while accompanying his mother to a wedding.
Down: Taken in 1999, less then a week after Austin was born. Now he suffers from the impact of Shaken Baby Syndrome.
“Shaken Baby Syndrome” usually happens when a caregiver is angry and loses control.
How to sooth a crying baby
Feed or burp the baby
Change the diaper
Make sure clothing isn’t too tight
Make sure baby isn’t too hot, or too cold
Next, try these techniques
– Take the baby for a walk outside in a stroller or for a ride in the car seat
Hold the baby against your chest and gently massage the baby
– Rock, walk, or dance with the baby
Be patient; take a deep breath and count to ten
– Call a friend or relative that you can trust to take over for a while, then get away, get some rest, take care of yourself
– Offer a pacifier
– Lower any surrounding noise and lights
– Offer the baby a noisy toy; shake or rattle it
– Hold the baby and breathe slowly and calmly; the baby may feel your calmness and become quiet
– Sing or talk to the baby using soothing tones
– Record and playback a sound, like a vacuum cleaner, or hair dryer
LANSING, MI — Today Christy Thelen is a courageous mother who still fights for parents and children that have been affected by child abuse. She knows the situation very well and lives it every day.
Thelen was 19-years-old when her son Austin Thelen-Olin was born on November 27, 1999. In her eyes, he was perfect and beautiful, then Austin her 2 1/2 weeks old son was “shaken”.
Thelen said, “I had to grow up very fast! Shaken Baby Syndrome is one of the worst forms of child abuse. I didn’t even know what it was until it happened to my son.”
An investigation revealed that Austin was injured in Erik Olin’s care. Olin is the biological father of Austin. Thelen was dating him at the time. He was arrested and served time for the crime.
Thelen said, “I don’t believe that Erik got enough time the crime but now the sentences for Shaken Baby Syndrome are a lot harsher.”
Thelen recounts the day in December of 1999, when Austin got sick when he ate, didn’t want to be moved and had a fever and glossy eyes. At that time, the young mother consulted her mother who said to take him to the emergency room right away. Austin at almost a month old had spent almost half of his life in the hospital and had to go through a battery of painful procedures and tests.
According to the American Academy of Neurology, emergency treatment for a baby who has been shaken usually includes lifesustaining measures such as respiratory support and surgery to stop internal bleeding and bleeding in the brain. Doctors may use brain scans, such as MRI or CT, to make a more definite diagnosis.
Shaking usually occurs when an individual loses control with a crying baby. Crying two or three hours a day is average for infants from six to three months and it will decrease as the infant grows.
Approximately 20% of cases are fatal in the first few days after the injury. The majority of the survivors are left with handicaps ranging from mild learning disorders, behavioral changes from moderate and severe such as profound mental and developmental paralysis, blindness, inability to eat or exist in a permanent vegetative state.
Austin suffered a traumatic brain injury. He has cerebral palsy (brain damage) and is severely multi-impaired. He was also taking medication to control seizures and has other medical issues.
As with most survivors of Shaken Baby Syndrome, Austin has had his share of hospital time. The first year of his life, he was in the hospital 3 times in 3 months and he almost died twice. That same year, he had 3 brain surgeries. He also had hip and eye surgery and is unable to walk or crawl on his own.
Thelen said, “Austin is probably one of the most loving persons that you would want to meet. He loves lights, music, food and people and he is the sweetest child ever. My mother would tell me ‘regardless just love him.’”
It’s so difficult at times for Thelen. She stated that Austin gets frustrated because he can’t express himself with words like a normal child his age. She stated that he does understand a lot even though he seems to get upset sometimes because he can’t get his point across. However, Thelen continues to fight on behalf of children who have been victims and survivors of child abuse. She is an advocate for longer sentences and restitution.
For more information, log on to www.dontshake.org.
This was printed in the January 15, 2012 – January 28, 2012 Edition
