Sponsor Shea
Child’s Name: Shea M
Child’s Condition: Bilateral Periventricular Leukomalacia
Attended Heel & Toe Since: March 2012
Born 9 weeks premature and resuscitated at birth, drs explained that he might have problems, and was diagnosed at 11 months old with bilateral periventricular leukomalacia
Receives: Conductive Ed
- able to maintain a calm and consistent breathing during stretching enabling conductors to carry out more thorough stretches.
- able to bend his knees in whilst lying on the mat and keep feet flat.
- able to relax his hips and stretch his knees out up to 170 degrees while lying prone on a soft mat.
Shea’s Story
Shea’s disability mainly affects his mobility but as a result can mean he feels isolated and often unable to join in with his peers. Lots of planning has to be put I to making sure days out and holidays are suitable so he does not feel excluded.
Shea has also had to undergo painful surgery to correct his posture and lengthen his muscles, which caused him to suffer anxiety problems. He has also had several rounds of botox injections to help his muscles relax. Shea also has a visual impairment which can also affect his day to day life, particularly when reading, etc. he is currently receiving hydrotherapy following his operation and after suffering a haematoma in the wound followed by recurrent infections.
The interventions received through Heel and Toe means that Shea has learned new techniques to do things like dressing and transferring from his wheelchair. It has also helped to improve his confidence. He performs daily stretching activities, and uses a variety of equipment including a standing frame, walking frame, splints and gaiters.
During his sessions Shea loves the parties that take place on special occasions. He has also made good friends with his therapy partner Ethan, and often meet up outside of Heel and Toe too. It is always a pleasure to hear how well he is doing and that he has worked hard to achieve his goals. Shea enjoys attending fundraising events when he can, both as a participant and as a spectator. Shea has always progressed and had his self-esteem boosted whenever he has competed a block course of physiotherapy and received a certificate.
Outside of Heel and Toe Shea enjoys going horse riding, going out with his family, and having his friends over to the house to watch movies and play on his PS4 together. Shea would really love to go to university when he leaves school and aims to be a scientist.
Shea always has a cheeky smile on his face and is so kind and caring to everyone. Shea has had a lot of obstacles to overcome in his life but he makes his family so proud every single day since the day e was born at only 30 weeks gestation. He only learned to crawl at the age of 6 but has since won medals for swimming and athletics.