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Gwenny has been working so hard over the last few months in physical therapy and wearing her braces and is so excited to have the option for this amazing new technology to improve her gait, balance, and activity. Unfortunately insurance doesn't pay for this new electronic "brace". Please read more about Gwenyth and what she has worked through and is working for!!
Gwenyth is my 8 year old girl that has had a very eventful life. She was born premature along with her identical twin sister and starting having some signs of mild cerebral palsy around 6 months old. She started wearing leg braces and using a walker when she was one year old and has had LOTS of physical therapy along the years and was walking and playing pretty much like the other kids but she had to work really hard to be able to do all the same activities as other kids.
This last year she started having alot more problems walking correctly because the muscles in her right leg are so tight (spastic diplegia). She got two new sets of braces, one for the daytime, and one for the night time to help her out. In February we tried Botox injections to help relax those tight muscles which so far hasn't really had a big effect.
Two months ago her physical therapist told us about this new electronic device called the Small L300 Foot Drop System from Bioness. The bioness representative came and fitted her for it and it had an amazing effect. She was able to walk and run with a normal gait and not lose her balance as easily. I wish I had taken a video of that day because it made me cry watching her face and how excited she got as she noticed the improvement. This is a link to the website for bioness so you can see more about it:
http://www.bioness.com/Products/L300_for_Foot_Drop/Small_L300_For_Pediatrics.php
Through all of her life I have tried to make sure that Gwenny knows she is not a victim and to help her know how blessed she is. Of course she still struggles wondering why her twin sister and friends don't have to work as hard as she does or have outward problems like she does but she has developed an inner strength and determination to succeed and overcome that I know will help her navigate through life. She is very loving, cares for other people, and has an awesome sense of humor.
She always wears long loose pants to cover her current brace when she goes out because she is embarassed about it and she is very embarrased about the larger shoes she has to wear over her brace. With the new device she would be able to wear whatever clothes and shoes she wanted and woudn't be so worried about people looking at her braces and "big feet" (her words)along with all the other benefits. Ever since we trialed the device she has been asking me when she will get her "new brace". Her doctor perscribed it and we submitted it to our insurance to pay for it but they denied it because it is a new techonology that has been approved for spinal cord injuries but not specifically cerebral palsy.
(Gwenny and her twin sister Izzy)
Any help to get this brace for Gwenny would be so much appreciated. THANK YOU!
Gwenyth is my 8 year old girl that has had a very eventful life. She was born premature along with her identical twin sister and starting having some signs of mild cerebral palsy around 6 months old. She started wearing leg braces and using a walker when she was one year old and has had LOTS of physical therapy along the years and was walking and playing pretty much like the other kids but she had to work really hard to be able to do all the same activities as other kids.
This last year she started having alot more problems walking correctly because the muscles in her right leg are so tight (spastic diplegia). She got two new sets of braces, one for the daytime, and one for the night time to help her out. In February we tried Botox injections to help relax those tight muscles which so far hasn't really had a big effect.
Two months ago her physical therapist told us about this new electronic device called the Small L300 Foot Drop System from Bioness. The bioness representative came and fitted her for it and it had an amazing effect. She was able to walk and run with a normal gait and not lose her balance as easily. I wish I had taken a video of that day because it made me cry watching her face and how excited she got as she noticed the improvement. This is a link to the website for bioness so you can see more about it:
http://www.bioness.com/Products/L300_for_Foot_Drop/Small_L300_For_Pediatrics.php
Through all of her life I have tried to make sure that Gwenny knows she is not a victim and to help her know how blessed she is. Of course she still struggles wondering why her twin sister and friends don't have to work as hard as she does or have outward problems like she does but she has developed an inner strength and determination to succeed and overcome that I know will help her navigate through life. She is very loving, cares for other people, and has an awesome sense of humor.
She always wears long loose pants to cover her current brace when she goes out because she is embarassed about it and she is very embarrased about the larger shoes she has to wear over her brace. With the new device she would be able to wear whatever clothes and shoes she wanted and woudn't be so worried about people looking at her braces and "big feet" (her words)along with all the other benefits. Ever since we trialed the device she has been asking me when she will get her "new brace". Her doctor perscribed it and we submitted it to our insurance to pay for it but they denied it because it is a new techonology that has been approved for spinal cord injuries but not specifically cerebral palsy.
(Gwenny and her twin sister Izzy)
Any help to get this brace for Gwenny would be so much appreciated. THANK YOU!