A Memorable Visit to Rifton
A child with SMA in need of adaptive seating tries out the Rifton Activity Chair
| March 2011Here’s a video I thought you would enjoy:
To learn more about Mary and her wonderful family go to Mary’s blog.
Thank you, Mary, (and Kate and Ryan) for visiting us. We are proud of your achievements and your courage.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a disease that affects the anterior horn cells and motor neurons of the spinal cord. As a result, muscles degenerate and become progressively weaker. In more severe types of the disease, children will experience respiratory difficulties and swallowing issues which lead to a shortened life expectancy. However, children are children no matter what the diagnosis and they thrive on activity, peer relationships, and just being involved. So for children with SMA, adaptive equipment is their key to the world. The equipment supports where muscles cannot. Being upright or mobile not only improves respiration, but allows the child to function as normally as possible in a classroom or at home.
The following article (taken from the Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy website) is a wonderful testimony to the benefits of adaptive equipment for children with neuromuscular diseases.
