Variety stays on cutting edge to help David

Last month, David became the first child in the St. Louis area to receive a Walk Aid – a piece of equipment that uses electrical stimulation to help him walk. When insurance wouldn’t cover any part of this $5,000 piece of brand new equipment, Variety jumped in to pay for the Walk Aid because we know it’s the best thing for David.

We never turn down an opportunity to better serve our kids with cutting-edge technology or services. As soon as Variety Health Services Director Diane Gruszka got word that 12-year-old David needed something new, she personally visited one of his therapy sessions to see the equipment in action.

Diane said the difference this Walk Aid could make in David’s life was crystal clear. His gait was immediately improved when he put the equipment on, and she could see his muscles working. Variety picked up the entire bill for the equipment, because with insurance out of the picture, David’s family had nowhere else to turn.

The Walk Aid stimulates his leg muscles, allowing him to walk, while at the same time strengthening the muscles so they become more functional. The hope is that one day, David will walk without the use of any medical equipment.

For the past five years, David has used leg braces (also provided by Variety) as he regains strength after a car accident that caused stroke-like damage in his brain. Doctors didn’t know at the time whether he would ever walk again, or have the ability to learn anything new.

But thanks to Variety and extensive therapy, David is walking. The hard plastic leg braces gave David the support he needed to get around – but they caused perpetual calluses and bruises, constantly needed adjustments, and required special socks and larger shoes. Plus, his gait was not where it could be.

That’s when Paul Jenkins, lead therapist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, decided he wasn’t completely satisfied with the child’s progress. Paul believed David had greater potential. He discussed the situation with his colleague Rodney Wilkinson, who works for Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics. “I wanted something better for him,” Paul said.

He and Rodney decided to try the Walk Aid out during therapy sessions, and Paul says David did remarkably well with the new technology. After several trials in therapy over the course of two months, and sending it home with the child for a week, the consensus was that the Walk Aid would greatly benefit David.

“After a week at home, his family came back raving about it,” Paul said. “And David looked great.”

Once David received a Walk Aid of his own, he began making great progress right away. After only a few weeks, Ellen said David now lifts his leg when he walks, instead of swinging it at the hip. It will allow him to be much more active – something David craves.

Ellen is thrilled that her son’s gait has improved, but she hopes the benefits of the Walk Aid will even go beyond David’s walking ability. His increased activity could potentially be a catalyst for other brain development. She said David is very stubborn, which at this time is his greatest asset!