Water therapy can do wonders for physical therapy patients trying to regain control of their limb muscles. Patients with cerebral palsy, however, face extra difficulties when using the pool to strengthen and develop their muscles. Thanks to an award-winning invention by a former magician, however, patients with cerebral palsy can reap the benefits of therapeutic swimming.
David Blaski, a senior clinical occupational therapist, saw the dismay on a young patient’s face when she could not use the pool with the other patients. He vowed to come up with a solution. Working with his brother, Blaski came up with the Aquatic Stabilizer Apparatus. He said he will always remember the look on the girl’s face when she used it for the first time.
“We video-taped it – it was amazing,” he said. “It was a jaw-dropping experience. To see this child who was previously unable to ambulate now able to tread water.”
Blaski created a device that aligns the limbs for more focused strengthening in the pool. Currently, four children with cerebral palsy are using the device to improve their muscle control. Blaski hopes that a manufacturer will express interest in the device (currently in its third prototype) so more children can benefit from it.
This is an excellent development for people with cerebral palsy, who face many challenges and disadvantages on a day-to-day basis. We hope more patients can benefit from this device.
Cerebral palsy is a disability often caused by medical errors during pregnancy or childbirth. If you know someone with cerebral palsy, he or she may be able to seek justice against the medical staff that delivered the baby. Contact us today to set up a free consultation: 1-800-460-0606.
Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP – cerebral palsy lawyers
