Joanne,
May I push in here as a professional who works with folks?  Being upright
has several benefits and using a wheelchair offers several benefits also.
Sounds tricky doesn't it.  And in a way like most big decisions, it is an
individual one where you need to weigh the benefits.  Using a wheelchair
offer speed, endurance, freedom, a seat to relax, energy to finish school
and household tasks.  Being on your own two feet offers decreased incidence
of contractors, increased bone mass, increased social contact, cardio and
respiratory function improvement, improve alimentary/waste functions and
other benefits.  Walking can be good for short distances to the bathroom,
out of the chair and into another chair, out to the car the mailbox
whatever.  For many people the wheelchair is only used for long distances
(such as at school, shopping, etc.).  Walking to exhaustion is not the goal
but, can be part of physical fitness program overall integration into
academics.  Some children also benefit from getting out of their wheelchairs
and into a chair that is at the same height as the chairs their classmates
sit in, again a decision based upon the individual needs and abilities of
the child and environment.
This is the short abbreviated version.
I will also let you know that I am biased toward the MOVE program and
functional systems.  Love those new gait trainers.

Beth the OT

email address: [log in to unmask]


-----Original Message-----
From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of joanne
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2001 4:56 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: The Basketball Story


I know that no one can give me a correct answer but this discussion really
has me thinking and wondering.  I'm coming at this situation as a mommy of
an almost 6 year old boy who has spastic quad CP. Alex has a manual WC that
he does Ok in. He's not thrilled just going straight form point A to B but
enjoys cutting close turns and speeding down ramps ( is there a smiley icon
I can place here of a mommy quickly turning gray???). He has been using a
new walker that gives him lots of support on walking, although  walking is
still labor intensive. It's usually kept at the school and when it is here
at home it can only go short distances because of our house lay out.
Thursday Alex had an appointment with his PMR doc and we took the walker
with us as the PMR doc had never seen this new walker ( Rifton Pacer) My
gosh golly, did that little one go!!!! The joyful look on his face was
heart-lifting to say the least. Even with the joy and all the supports the
walking, again was intensive with effort. Now I'm mindful from the responses
of the adults ( no that's not the right descriptive word, lets see ..older?
no?? Ok  how about people who've grown taller,like Bobby, ISM,Ken,Magenta)
that all that forced being "normal" walking has resulted in such stress on
the joints,  spine etc as they've grown "taller" Do I discourage/limit the
walking in order for him to have a healthier adult life. Maybe all this new
equipment is made to reduce the stress that caused all the  muscle /spinal
stress in the past. Just what is a good medium for a young child?
Joanne
----- Original Message -----
From: Rayna Lamb <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2001 4:24 AM
Subject: Re: The Basketball Story


> Joy, I totally agree.  I used nothing to help me get around until I
> was 19, and I was totally exhausted every day - life was miserable,
> and it has taken me several years to recover.  I now use a scooter for
> outside mobility, and only walk inside houses and small ...