Restoring the ability to walk is a key step toward independence
Restoring the ability to walk is a key step toward independence

Kelsie

Kelsie is a 16 year-old girl with Cerebral Palsy. Kelsie’s primary mobility is a power wheelchair. She has used a posterior rolling walker since a very young age for short distance walking. However, when she was younger, she was able to walk longer distances using her walker. As Kelsie has gotten older and underwent a major surgery to her legs, her ability to walk has significantly decreased. With her posterior rolling walker, Kelsie can walk 50-100′ with difficulty and discomfort. She can only be up and walking for 3-5 minutes at the most. Kelsie desired to walk more but walking was such a chore.

Kelsie, her dad and physical therapist traveled to the Abilities Expo in NJ to seek out new walking options for Kelsie. That is where they met Eli and the Up N. Go. The Up N Go and its ability to support the pelvis and take some of the patient’s weight was very appealing. Kelsie tried the Up N Go one week later with excellent results. Kelsie stood with more upright posture for the first time in a long time. The Up N Go supports 75 pounds of her weight (180pounds). Therefore, Kelsie is still supporting 100 pounds of her own body weight. And, due to the support at her pelvis, Kelsie is able to take her hands off the walker and throw a ball versus use her arms to hold herself up on the walker! Kelsie was nervous at first to let go but now she easily lets go to do various at tasks. Now Kelsie uses the Up N Go at home and during therapy for great strength and endurance exercises. In the Up N Go, Kelsie can walk at least 800′, 10x the distance she can walk in her regular walker! Kelsie can also do standing games such as throwing a ball, doing arm exercises, etc for at least 15 minutes. Overall, Kelsie can be up and bearing weight by standing and walking for 35-40 minutes, which is a huge improvement from 3-5 minutes. The benefit to her muscles and bones is tremendous. Kelsie’s self esteem seems better too as she is proud of her ability to stand and walk more. Kelsie can now have the option to do things she would never be able to such as go to a school dance and dance while standing or maybe stand during a school choir concert. She may not end up doing those things, but having the option is nice for Kelsie. This summer Kelsie enjoyed walking from our office about 500′ to Dairy Queen to get a cool treat. These kind of activities have become impossible with her old walker but now feasible with the Up N Go. This is a great tool that can work for a variety of patients and I highly recommend considering it for a trial.

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