2593 US HWY 2 E, STE 1
KALISPELL, MT 59901
Tel: (406) 890-2212
Montana Spine and Neurodevelopment Center
Our Story
In the past 19 years, Montana Spine and Neurodevelopment Center has evolved from a family chiropractic practice into a multidisciplinary wellness center, all because of our family's journey to find hope and healing for our own daughter.
In 2004, Dr. Jesse and Dr. Angie Wathan opened the doors of Wathan Chiropractic which, then, was just a family chiropractic practice. At that time, they had one child at home, Josie.
Josie was born in 2004, as a healthy baby girl. She hit all of her milestones early and was talking with complete sentences by the age of 18 months. However, her story changed and soon became the inspiration behind the creation of Montana Spine and Neurodevelopment Center. Read about her story below. Her most success was noted through rehabilitation services that we now offer. Our office was created to heal individuals like her!
Josie
When Josie was 2 years of age, she started having seizures. Her seizures increased gradually until June of 2007. In June of 2007, Josie went from having 2-3 seizures a week to 5-10 seizures a day. On August 26th, 2007 Josie was diagnosed with Rasmussen's Encephalitis. By September 16th, 2007 Josie's seizures were constant (epilepsia partialis continua). On November 19th, 2007 Josie had a right functional hemispherectomy (removal of her right side of her brain).
Rasmussen's encephalitis is an autoimmune disease in which immune system cells enter the brain and cause inflammation and damage. This is an extremely rare, progressive inflammatory disorder, characterized by frequent and severe seizures, loss of motor skills and speech, dementia and mental deterioration. The disease usually affects only one hemisphere of the brain, but in Josie's case it had affected both hemispheres. Josie has undergone intense rehab to increase function to her left side of her body. She has had success through the services now offered at Montana Spine and Neurodevelopment Center. Josie has seen significant healing to the left side of her brain. Josie lives as if everything is a miracle!
Josie Now
Josie always wakes up with the biggest smile! Today, Josie enjoys reading and coloring. She reads an average of 12 books a year. She has learned to ski with dream adaptive, enjoys hanging out with friends at local coffee shops and bowling. You can usually find her listening to music or watching movies. She may not like to admit it but, she is really good at trivia.
Josie is getting ready to graduate high school. She has started her own doggie daycare business and is also working at Montana Spine and Neurodevelopment Center on Fridays.