Robbie

“My goal is to be independent. I’m going to grow up to be independent and have a car and a job and my own house. I will do all of the activities I want to do, just like a person without a disability.” -Robbie, Heartspring child

Born 11 weeks early, Robbie was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was almost 2 years old. Since then, he has had countless therapy sessions and endured multiple surgeries while continuing to work on goals he has set for himself. Robbie has been coming to Heartspring Pediatric Services for occupational and physical therapies since June 2001, after receiving therapy at other local facilities and intense physical therapy out of state for three years during the summer months. At Heartspring Robbie has worked on dressing, self-help skills and walking. Dedicated to his therapies he was discharged from occupational therapy services after meeting his dressing and self-help goals in May 2005. Because of the type of cerebral palsy Robbie has, sitting, standing and walking are difficult due to spasticity and muscle weakness. Although he has had several surgeries, the fact that he is continuing to grow presents many challenges. Robbie faces another surgery in the next year or two. He has always walked with the assistance of a walker, quad canes or poles. Despite all the past and future surgeries and his condition, along with the support and love of his family, Robbie is determined to one day walk on his own. “You have to make it through every day and believe you can do anything. Muhammad Ali said ‘The impossible is nothing.’ That’s helping me. I believe that. If you set your mind to do something, you can do it because you believe,” said Robbie.