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Help Daniel Pop

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Daniel Pop is my awesome 21 years old nephew who has been diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy 14 days after birth. This disorder has affected his movement, muscle tone, posture, and speech ever since.   He is completely depended on his family for every single daily function we might take for granted, like eating, brushing teeth, going to bed, going for a walk, etc.  Daniel’s muscles are extremely spastic and tight, limiting his ability to move freely.  Yet, he loves being active. For a while he owned a small shoe collection. He wanted to make sure he does not run out of shoes. His walker and bike are such a thrill to him; it is as if they give him wings. However, these activities are short lived due to his muscle restriction.  He has been exposed to every available muscle therapy and treatment.  And they all help to a certain degree, but each has its limitation. One exciting and promising  treatment that he has tried in the hospitable houses of friends and summer vacations at grandma’s house in Florida has been warm water therapy.  The use of warm water therapy spa or pool is a valuable treatment option as it relaxes his muscles allowing him to move and exercise more freely while decreasing his pain level.  Unfortunately, Daniel does not have access to warm water therapy.


Therefore, the need for this fundraiser and running a Half Marathon on September 26th. 2020 to raise money for Daniel’s very own in home heated water therapy.

The video below will introduce you to Daniel’s life which is still a mystery to me – he is physically bond, yet limitless in life and joy!

Daniels Testimony:        https://www.facebook.com/jenni.wahlgrenvontobel/videos/10221356211959817/


His family is greatly invested in being able to provide this opportunity for Daniel within his home environment, but due to financial struggles it has not been possible. The use of warm water therapy and aquatic therapy is extremely valuable to individuals like Daniel with cerebral palsy, improving physical function as well as emotional well being.  The use of hydrotherapy and warm water therapy is well researched to help manage the symptoms often associated with cerebral palsy. Some of the physical and psychological benefits include:

Reduce discomfort: The whole-body pressure provided by water can be effective at relieving pain in the joints and muscles. This effect is further amplified when the individual is working in warm water, which allows muscles with high tone to relax providing a better environment for movement.

Prevents injuries: The buoyancy of water helps prevent individuals with cerebral palsy from injuring themselves during exercise by reducing the amount of stress on their joints and musculoskeletal system. This allows them to perform activities, both aerobic and anaerobic, with less chance of injuring themselves.

Improves muscle tone and postural control: Water, while decreasing the weight of the individual, increases resistance as the body moves through it. This means that even by doing simple movements, individuals can build muscle and increase muscle control more quickly and effectively, all without placing undue stress on their joints. For those with high muscle tone, the warm water combined with the hydro-static pressure makes movement underwater easier.

Improved cardiovascular function: When the body is submerged, the heart must pump more blood to make up for the increase in pressure. Even without exercising or moving, this helps to improve an individual’s cardiovascular fitness and increase their endurance.

Improves flexibility: Water provides support as well as resistance, which can make it easier for individuals to work through flexibility training exercises to increase their range of motion. This is particularly helpful for cerebral palsy patients working with rigid limbs and shortened muscles.

Improved confidence: Hydrotherapy can bring a sense of accomplishment to the individual’s life, especially as they see improvements in their daily functionality. This can help improve their self-confidence, emotional health and overall disposition.

Stress reduction: Any form of exercise can help reduce stress and tension, but when coupled with pain relief, this effect is even more pronounced. Hydrotherapy does both, providing a physical outlet while also reducing physical pain, delivering highly effective stress relief.
There are many physical and psychological benefits of warm water therapy.  Daniel will greatly benefit by having access to a warm water spa in his home setting, improving his physical functions, emotional well being and quality of life.
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    Organizer and beneficiary

    Ramona Padurean-Vinesar
    Organizer
    Schaumburg, IL
    Estera Pop
    Beneficiary

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