When asked how Andrew enjoyed the program, he exclaimed “It was really great!”
Andrew made his debut into the world 10 weeks early. Doctors soon noticed that the ventricles in the left side of his brain were enlarged. His neurologist recommended a local cerebral palsy clinic, where they began to understand more about his diagnosis and the challenges he might face.
As Andrew grew, those challenges became more apparent as he had developed a windswept posture, meaning his legs were angled to one side. At 12 years old, he had five surgeries on each leg to help improve his mobility and function. After the surgeries, Andrew went into a local inpatient rehabilitation followed by outpatient physical therapy at Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH) in Hamilton, New Jersey. “At first, Andrew was going to physical therapy two times a week as he was healing from the surgeries,” stated Andrew’s mom, Deborah. “He needed therapy more often, so his physical therapist recommended the Intensive Physical and Occupational Therapy Program at CSH.”
Pediatric Intensive Physical and Occupational Therapy Program
The Pediatric Intensive Therapy Program at CSH combines individualized occupational and physical therapy that helps children with special needs and their families by focusing on specific goals. Intensive therapy is 2 hours a day, four days a week for four weeks. Andrew and his family’s main goal was to create independence with activities of daily living, such as toileting and dressing. Andrew struggled with standing, walking, and leaning down, which made it difficult for him to change himself and use the bathroom.
Throughout the intensive, Andrew gained more than strength and balance, he gained greater independence in his everyday life.
Life After the Intensive
After four weeks of the program, Andrew is now walking better, sitting up straighter and he’s able to assist with dressing himself. “Seeing him pull up his pants so quickly and taking off his BILLY shoes, amazed me. He couldn’t even bend his body. I don’t think his brain really knew how to do that until this program. I started crying tears of joy seeing him do things independently. This makes both of our lives so much easier. I recommend this program to anyone who can do it,” stated Deborah.
“Andrew amazed us all with his progress in the intensive by working hard and accepting every challenge. His mom was an incredible team player. She often had Andrew complete extra activities after a long day in the UEU once at home,” highlighted his physical therapists, Abigail Berger and Lindsay Reilly. “Not only did Andrew knock all of our expectations out of the park, but he also had a blast beating all of us at UNO while doing it!”
“Even on days when Andrew was tired after staying up a little too late watching scary movies, he showed up ready to work and kept the momentum going,” noted his occupational therapists, Molly Bucciero and Hannah Stanicki. “Watching him use his new skills to become independent with tasks like getting dressed is exactly what this intensive is all about. We are so proud of him!”
“We can’t wait to see what else is to come with his increased independent mobility,” added Abigail and Lindsay.
When asked how Andrew enjoyed the program, he exclaimed “It was really great!”
Learn more about the Pediatric Intensive Physical and Occupational Therapy Program.