Most people with cerebral palsy are locked in a body that won't cooperate. The chronic condition affects motor skills and can produce severe muscle tightness. Now, a tool is hoping to change their lives for the better.

Amy Tuten, 11, enjoys playing games with her mother and sister but spasticity and tight muscles from cerebral palsy used to get in the way.

"Her whole body was very, very stiff and it was very difficult to dress her. It could be difficult to move her around and position her," said Amy's mother, Jenny Tuten.

Five years ago, pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Howard Weiner gave Amy an implanted drug pump to loosen her body.

"Many children come to us in severe pain. They're agitated constantly and once we get the spasticity under control, they're totally different children. They're relaxed. They're calm. They're smiling. They're happy," Weiner said.

The refillable implanted pump delivers an anti-spasticity drug called baclofen directly into the spinal fluid to bathe the nervous system continuously.

"So, you can give on the order of a microgram dose as opposed to a milligram dose. So it's a much smaller dose that's needed to get a much more effective result," Weiner said.

This year, Amy replaced her original pump with a new smaller version. It fits kids better and holds more medication.

"So, the child, instead of having a refill every six weeks, can go every three months or even up to every six months," Weiner said.

Amy attends public school and goes to summer camp. Getting the pump has made a big difference.

"It sort of helped her to be more of who she was and reach more of her potential by having the medication in this way," said Jenny Tuten.

There is currently no cure for cerebral palsy but therapy can lead to increased independence. Amy's reduced spasticity helps her work more effectively with her therapist.

For information about intrathecal drug delivery, visit www.medtronic.com.