MICHAEL KNAPP
Hello, my name is Stephanie, and I have a 12 year old little boy with Cerebral Palsy.
His name is Michael Aaron Knapp. He was born 3 months early when I was 17 years old, and he weighed 1 pound 14 ounces at birth.
He had learned to breathe on his own when he was a month old, but suffered some brain damage due to lack of oxygen while in the hospital.
We were called in and told that Michael's life would be very difficult and he would have CP.
One statement I remember so well was 'if he was awake, he would be crying'. I remember that so well because my son is the most inspiring person in the world because he is so happy and he has the biggest smile and silliest laugh that ever existed.
His life, however, has been a battle of strengths and weaknesses, small steps of victorious gains... such as the day he learned to drink from a straw, what an accomplishment!
My entire life since he was born has been watching him become the most determined, eager to learn, amazingly strong, young man.
He is such a precious gift to me and I am thankful for him, but I know in my heart, without a doubt that the Therasuit would tremendously help him improve his skills.
I just found out about it recently, and I am amazed at what it can do, and will do for Michael, if I can only come up with a way to provide the therapy for him.
I have already told my employer all about it, and I know they would understand and let me have the time off to take him to the center to give him this opportunity!
Michael tries so hard to do so many things that his body keeps him from doing. It's like he's stuck in this body that won't work the way he so badly wants it to.
He wants to feed himself, but his arms are too tight, he wants to hug me, but his arms do the opposite of what he tries to do.
He loves to walk, but he has to have our assistance, because of his balance and coordination. He can't stand to lie around and do nothing, so I rotate putting him in his stander, in his wheelchair, and walking him through the house, and he still gets bored. Just like another 12 year old boy...
I could go on for days about how brilliant Michael is, too. He tries to talk, but the main sound that he can make is "buh". We were all amazed when the teacher at school found out this year about his reading comprehension.
Apparently, the boy taught himself how to read over the years, and I mean stories. He has a communication device that he uses called a Dynavox, and it has really cut down on alot of his frustration, as he is able to answer questions and participate with the class at school now.
The Therasuit is what Michael has needed for so long now. I knew it as soon as I read a few of the testimonials, I just knew it.
I would be willing to do anything to provide Michael with this opportunity to be more independent and to reach his potential that he, himself, has always tried so hard to reach.
I just don't know what to do, or where to begin. I hope and pray with my whole heart, that Michael can experience this therapy.
He has never, ever had a therapy that has not helped him. He does so well with Pool therapy, hippotherapy, and he is on a special needs soccer team that gives him so much confidence and makes him feel like he is a part of something special.
Thank you so very much for your
time, and may God bless you all.
For My Son, Michael Aaron,
Stephanie