Elizabeth

Elizabeth came to Heartspring Pediatric Services in July 2007 when she was eight years old. She was walking with a walker at school and in the community, and used canes at home. Elizabeth has been deaf since birth, but with her mom, Janet, acting as interpreter using sign language, both expressed Elizabeth’s desire to walk by herself. At that time, it took her 10-15 minutes to take labored, individual steps to travel 10 feet. Janet related a promise that they had made to Elizabeth that the family will go to Disneyland when she learns to walk by herself.

Elizabeth began an aggressive schedule or physical therapy sessions at Heartspring with physical therapist Denise Begnoche, finishing the summer with twice weekly, one-hour appointments. Continuing weekly therapy during the school year, walking was made even more challenging due to severe visual deficits, increasing her fear of falling. Therapeutic activities focused on improving her balance, and increasing strength and endurance for walking using the treadmill at the beginning of each session. Gait training then continued over the ground with therapist fading support through mutual holding of various objects such as single point poles and drumsticks. Walking to the candy machine for a handful of M & M's was the prime motivator. Elizabeth then began gait training on ramps and stairs, and was introduced to the Amtryke hand and foot tricycle. Though steering this trike is a challenge for most children, Elizabeth learned quickly to pedal and turn, allowing the motion of the pedals and cranks to train movement patterns in her legs.

Janet is grateful for the assistance and support her daughter receives from Heartspring. “Denise is amazing,” she said. “She went above and beyond just the physical therapy. She took the time during therapy and outside of our appointment to investigate the whole person, how everything is connected to Elizabeth's ability to walk. I know at times she became my "counselor", listening to a parent's dreams, disappointments, and confusions about her daughter. Elizabeth thoroughly enjoyed her time with Denise and always looked forward to therapy, even at 7:30 in the morning!”

Elizabeth is now able to push her favorite baby dolls in an umbrella stroller by herself. She walks at a more typical pace with very light support at one hand. She uses the walker very little now, beginning to negotiate her classroom and hallways at school by herself, touching the wall when necessary. She has walked up to 10 feet by herself on occasion. The goal is to continue to work hard and eventually transition to independent walking. Dreams of Disney are much closer to becoming a reality for Elizabeth and her family.

Content published October, 2008.