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CHILDREN'S STORIES
Drew's Story
 Drew, diagnosed with cerebral vascular accident (CVA), right side paralysis, was born with an undersized left heart and underwent cardiac surgery within three days of birth. When he was one and a half years old, he suffered a stroke, which necessitated a total heart transplant a year later.
Described as a pleasant, hard working and extremely cooperative young man who lights up a room with his smile, Drew is an avid sports fan and plays on a baseball team coached by his father.
During the summer 2004 Steps to Independence® program, the nine-year-old's therapy goals included walking with a better gait and balance, running 50 feet in 4.3 seconds in 3 out of 5 trials, preparing his own sandwich, opening a container and pouring his own drink, zipping a jacket with minimal help and buttoning his shirt using a buttoner.
After one month of intensive therapy, Drew was able to set up his meal by making a sandwich, opening a container and pouring his own drink, all without assistance from the therapist. He also zipped his jacket within 29 seconds, almost two and a half minutes faster than when he was first tested, and could button small and medium sized buttons within one and a half minutes, where the task initially had taken 4 minutes and 10 seconds. His overall gait and balance improved and he worked very diligently to achieve his goal of running 50 feet within 4.3 seconds/ 60% of trials. While Drew was unable to accomplish his running goal at the time due to medical reasons that required surgical intervention, he continues to pursue this goal and expects to show off a 50-foot run in 3 seconds flat.
Drew is a child who has fun while working to improve his skills. He always has a smile on his face, whether he is lifting weights or standing on one foot to improve his balance, all while trying to respond to demands of the therapists. His family was willing to make the two-hour round trip to United Cerebral Palsy because they knew the intensive therapy program would push Drew to reach his maximum potential.
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