When his mother, Estela, first brought Nicholas to Matheny, he could not stand up, and his body was floppy. Nicholas has Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. Since then, physical therapists have been working with him on standing and stepping, sitting, posture and trunk strengthening.
Occupational therapy concentrates on trying to get him to reach and explore his environment with his hands. Speech-language pathologists work with him to use switches in order to communicate on a basic level. And Matheny’s seating and mobility clinic designed a chair that is a hybrid between a stroller and a wheelchair.
Today, says Estela, “His legs are stronger. He’s very alert. He’s saying some words. He’s eating well.” And it’s all due to his therapists: “I love the way they treat him.”
Nicholas is one of nine “Special Stories” we’ve highlighted in our new brochure, which you can download here.
