PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE

YOUR DONATIONS AT WORK - CHANGING LIVES

  

Julia's Story: The Little Girl Who Could

Every parent wants their child to grow up to be healthy and independent.  Seven-year-old Julia Wallace was born with Escobar Syndrome, a condition that causes the arms and legs to contract.  "When Julia was born she was contracted into a little football," said Beth Wallace, Julia's mother.  "She was unable to move her joints or muscles for the first four months." 

When she started therapy at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital in August of 2010, Julia and her family were given a new outlook on how independent she could be.  "When I first met Julia, her main problem was her arms.  She was unable to use them to complete daily tasks," said Stacy Grider, Julia's Occupational Therapist.  Julia 's condition was so severe that she couldn't open toothpaste or use a hair brush--all of the simple tasks that make a child self-sufficient.  "We came to Cardinal Hill because we knew Julia wanted to get better.  She needs her independence, because I'm not going to be there forever," said Beth.     

 

Julia works each week with a team of therapists.  In addition to the contraction, Julia has respiratory problems which prevent her from saying more than three or four words with each breath.  She is working through several speech therapies designed to build up her air support.  Other therapists are working with Julia on innovative ways to increase her range of motion.  "She has webbings behind her knees and in her elbows which prevent her from straightening her arms and legs.  Our goal is to increase her range of motion using a stretching therapy called casting, so that she will be able to complete tasks on her own like brushing her hair, brushing her teeth and even feeding herself ," said Stacy.  "Over a week's time, her muscles and tissues start relaxing a little bit and she's able to get more movement.  We will do that until we get as much range and function as we can." 

Fun is a big part of the therapy process.  For example, between casting treatments Julia will jump on the trampoline and ride bikes in order to strengthen her legs.   All of these techniques will gradually build Julia's independence.  "It's nice to say, Julia go brush your teeth and get ready for bed, and she does that by herself," said Beth.  "Julia has great therapists, they're her friends -- and she's always passing out hugs." 

When Julia was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she replied, "A therapist."  Beth summed up their experience with Cardinal Hill by saying, "Cardinal Hill is helping us work towards her independence; that is huge for her.  It gives her something to look forward to."

Because of your donations through KECC, Julia's condition is improving.  Cardinal Hill and the other KECC Charities are working with families like Julia's every day.  Thanks to you, there are thousands of success stories like this one, right here in Kentucky.  Share Julia's story with a coworker and if you have a story of your own, visit our "Tell your story" page and share how the KECC Charities have changed your life!

 

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QUICK NOTES:

Coordinators: 

PLEASE JOIN US FOR NEXT WEEK'S COORDINATOR RALLY:
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 19 at 9:00 A.M. AT THE DEPT. OF AVIATION.

ALSO, take steps now to ensure every state employee is given the opportunity to help others through the Campaign.  We are in the final weeks of the KECC, so now is the time to reach out to your volunteers and make sure they have everything they need to finish strong.  Need help?  Call us at 502-589-2296.

 

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