Trexo for Jamie

Jamie is 10 years old and lives with his Mom, Dad, Big Brother Ryan, and dog Coco in Co.Laois.

Jame is a ten-year-old boy, who loves music, water, swings, trampolines, and tractors.

Jamie has a rare disorder that remains undiagnosed after many tests and investigations.

As a result, Jamie has complex medical and support needs. He has refractory (drug-resistant) epilepsy, is non-speaking and is a wheelchair user.

He is cheeky, funny, mischievous and has excellent rhythm.

He is non-speaking and is currently developing his aac speech device skills. We work hard to model for him and presume competence in his ability to build his communication skills further.

Jamie can crawl and climb and with support from a therapist or his mom or dad, by holding his hands, shoulders, thighs, or in some moments by the ankles; he can take some steps. He can use his trike well, which he only has 2 years, he learned through patterning of the movement of his feet. Using a traditional walker is difficult due to his sensory needs and need for consistency but he can take some steps in one at school.

His disability also significantly impacts his sensory system, meaning he has difficulty focusing, regulating his system, and knowing where his body is in space. He seeks a lot of movements and is involved in vestibular rehabilitation. He also needs a lot of information given to his body in his proprioceptive system.

Jamie is unable to walk currently and this year his family finally got to attend his first intensive therapy block in SMILE therapy for kids in Toronto. In 2 weeks of intense therapy, Jamie made considerable strides in standing, weight shifting, balance, coordination, and stamina, and his muscle mass increased. He increased his body awareness and use of his hands and fingers and had enormous fun rising to the daily challenges.

The best opportunity Jamie had in Toronto was the use of Trexo Robotics, a wearable robotic that helps children with disabilities and walking impairments experience over-ground walking in the clinic and at home.

Trexo uses groundbreaking technology to use robotic legs for the child to experience a perfect gait pattern. It facilitates walking with the child and tracks the difference between the child and the robot’s initiation of steps and how many steps were taken. Within two weeks of Jamie having to use the Trexo Robotic legs, his initiation of steps improved; he took hundreds of steps in each session and gained in confidence. This would not be possible with typical gait trainers and walkers. Through the various therapies we have been lucky to access over the last 2 years, we know Jamie has vast potential and needs support. His learning to ride a trike is one significant example of so many.

Trexo is available for lease for $1000 per month in the US and Canada.

Unfortunately, this option is not available to European children and for Jamie to have equal opportunity with his North American disabled peers, we need to buy and ship one to Ireland at the total cost of €45,000, which will include training for his family and linking in with his Canadian physios.

Jamie would be the first child in Europe to use this progressive, dynamic and ground-breaking technology. It also allows for a level of consistency that we cannot match with home programs or traditional walkers.

We are looking for businesses to either sponsor fully or support us in our quest for our very own Trexo for use with Jamie in our home and the vicinity of county Laois and beyond. Jamie would get to experience walking with his peers, exercising with his family, and receiving the many benefits that Trexo provides.

• Facilitation of bone and muscle development

• Stringer core muscles

• Gaining strength and stamina

• Functional stretches through a range of motion, which prevents tightness.

• Improved body awareness,

• Proper body alignment

• Trexo does not limit children like other types of walkers do, it provides a full range of development of skills and opportunities.

• Allow Jamie to reach his physical potential and possibly take independent steps

We are looking for a sponsor or donation to help from businesses involved in community outreach projects, hoping we may benefit.

If you'd like to learn more about Jamie

insta: @jamies_gdd_diary