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CHILDREN'S STORIES
Coty’s Story
 As a bright and highly motivated 11-year-old with cerebral palsy, Coty participated in the summer 2003 Steps to Independence® program. Living with his grandmother, grandfather and older brother, Coty attended therapy twice weekly to address a number of goals. Coty's grandfather, however, had one specific goal in mind when he enrolled Coty in the intensive therapy program. He wanted Coty to walk independently with his reverse walker for a distance of 25 feet.
At an earlier point in time, Coty had been able to walk that distance with a walker, but a subsequent illness resulted in a decline in his mobility. Agency therapists quickly determined that Coty walked more easily with a forward rather than reverse walker. After practicing for four weeks with a forward walker, he far surpassed his goal and was able to independently enter and exit the walker and walk for 610 feet with contact guard assist! The month of intensive therapy also culminated in his ability to transfer from sit to stand and to take off and put on pants independently with a reacher.
Therapists working with Coty also ascertained that he had a difficult time tracking objects with his eyes and that he had poor depth perception, hindering his ability to read. They referred Coty's grandfather to a behavioral ophthalmologist who tested Coty's eyes and provided a recommendation for improving his vision, helping Coty to realize that his vision had been a significant obstacle to accomplishing major life activities.
Steps therapists greatly enjoyed working with Coty and his family. He was an ideal candidate for Steps, didn't take no for an answer, and accomplished his goals of walking and reading after just one month of therapy.
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