Challenger Program
Donation protected
The Challenger Program
Challenger is a YMCA program that will provide a variety of services to families with special needs that is being developed through the Irmo branch. A pilot program is currently in process for the inclusion of high functioning children in regular soccer leagues by supplementing them with a personal volunteer called a Buddy. Future services planned include a community club that will launch in November followed by respite and other exclusive and inclusive programming that will provide much needed support and wellness for families.
Our Story
My son Brydon is 4 now. He was born with bilateral clubfeet and other developmental delays. Starting at one week old, they cased his legs from toe to groin. This was the protocol for clubfoot treatment, and it is called the Ponseti Method. (in case you wish to look into it)
Brydon's been through some rough patches such as pressure sores, rashes, and even MRSA in some of the sores caused by the casts. He started casting with a local docotor group here in Lexington, SC. Once they had "corrected" him, he started physical therapy. Brydon kept having relapses and other issues. He had under developed muscles due to not ever using them. He had sensitivity to things touching his feet.
Jumping to now. I gave the local doctors two years of treating my son. They failed miserably. They were trying to tweek the Ponseti method to make their own. Ponseti is proven! So jumping through a ton of hoops, I got my soon to an amazing doctor in Iowa. What they didn't do in two years, he did in two weeks. He was fully corrected. Brydon continued with therapy services. He had a Sprout physical therapist to help him. They did amazing things with him. He developed his running, jumping, balance, walking up and down stairs, and more. They also finally discharged him from needing physical therapy. Instead of therapy, they helped me get him into soccer at our local Lexington YMCA. Brydon has been loving it. He loves kicking, running, and his little team mates. It has been a wonderful exercise. I know that Sprout partnered with YMCA are tryin g to further this program. They want to include kids in other sports and other things. They need your help to provide to sponsorship for kids to play and sometimes the equipment for the kids to play.
Can you help? Can you donate?
I can't show photos of the other kids. Kids with more severe issues than my son, but I can show you Brydon. :)
Unfortunately, Brydon has had a relapse with his clubfeet. He'll be starting the casting protocol again soon. Both legs will be casted from toe to groin, and that will continue on for 6-8 weeks. Hopefully, we'll be able to get him corrected and back into a sport thanks to the Challenger Program.
What happens to the money you donate?
I want to collect it, donate it to Sprout Pediatrics. Then they can use it or donate it to the YMCA to help fund more children and more programs!
Challenger is a YMCA program that will provide a variety of services to families with special needs that is being developed through the Irmo branch. A pilot program is currently in process for the inclusion of high functioning children in regular soccer leagues by supplementing them with a personal volunteer called a Buddy. Future services planned include a community club that will launch in November followed by respite and other exclusive and inclusive programming that will provide much needed support and wellness for families.
Our Story
My son Brydon is 4 now. He was born with bilateral clubfeet and other developmental delays. Starting at one week old, they cased his legs from toe to groin. This was the protocol for clubfoot treatment, and it is called the Ponseti Method. (in case you wish to look into it)
Brydon's been through some rough patches such as pressure sores, rashes, and even MRSA in some of the sores caused by the casts. He started casting with a local docotor group here in Lexington, SC. Once they had "corrected" him, he started physical therapy. Brydon kept having relapses and other issues. He had under developed muscles due to not ever using them. He had sensitivity to things touching his feet.
Jumping to now. I gave the local doctors two years of treating my son. They failed miserably. They were trying to tweek the Ponseti method to make their own. Ponseti is proven! So jumping through a ton of hoops, I got my soon to an amazing doctor in Iowa. What they didn't do in two years, he did in two weeks. He was fully corrected. Brydon continued with therapy services. He had a Sprout physical therapist to help him. They did amazing things with him. He developed his running, jumping, balance, walking up and down stairs, and more. They also finally discharged him from needing physical therapy. Instead of therapy, they helped me get him into soccer at our local Lexington YMCA. Brydon has been loving it. He loves kicking, running, and his little team mates. It has been a wonderful exercise. I know that Sprout partnered with YMCA are tryin g to further this program. They want to include kids in other sports and other things. They need your help to provide to sponsorship for kids to play and sometimes the equipment for the kids to play.
Can you help? Can you donate?
I can't show photos of the other kids. Kids with more severe issues than my son, but I can show you Brydon. :)
Unfortunately, Brydon has had a relapse with his clubfeet. He'll be starting the casting protocol again soon. Both legs will be casted from toe to groin, and that will continue on for 6-8 weeks. Hopefully, we'll be able to get him corrected and back into a sport thanks to the Challenger Program.
What happens to the money you donate?
I want to collect it, donate it to Sprout Pediatrics. Then they can use it or donate it to the YMCA to help fund more children and more programs!
Organizer
Nicole LeBlanc
Organizer
Lexington, SC
