Easter Seals & Jack!

This is our friend's son, Jack.  He's an awesome little guy and was featured in an article about Easter Seals.

From mcall.com

Easter Seals Walk Helps Children with Disabilities, like Jack

When Tabatha Szivos gave birth to her baby boy, Jack, three years ago, all was right in her world. She and her husband, Ryan, both Lehigh Valley natives, lived in Florida at the time and were excited about finally starting their family.

Those first few months were bliss. But when Jack had a seizure at 4 months old, the Szivos’ world changed forever. Jack underwent a barrage of medical tests to determine the cause of his seizures. Finally, an MRI revealed he has cerebral palsy.

The disease that is characterized by loss or impairment of motor function is caused by either brain injury or abnormal development of the brain before, during or immediate following birth. It affects body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance. It can also impact fine motor skills, gross motor skills and oromotor functioning. Each case is unique to the individual, ranging from total paralysis to slight impairment.

And, as the Szivos learned, symptoms might not always be apparent at birth. Jack’s cerebral palsy affects every muscle group in his body and his muscle tone is mixed -- very low from his legs down and so tight in his arms and shoulders that he needs Botox injections to relax the rigidity.

Tabatha says Jack’s doctors still suspect he has “some sort of muscular neuron disease” in addition to cerebral palsy. But extensive testing has not yet determined what that disease is. “We like to call him our conundrum. He’s been poked, prodded and cut open. We may end up naming a disease after him.”

The Szivos moved back to the Lehigh Valley when Jack was 9 months old and settled in Breinigsville. Jack is now 3. And although he cannot talk, sit up by himself or crawl, he has made significant developmental progress. Through Easter Seals, he is receiving speech and swallow therapy. His foods must be pureed and his liquids, thickened, to keep him from aspirating. And he’s learning to chew, but needs constant reinforcement therapy or he regresses. He’s learning to communicate. He now can say “mama” and make pucker sounds to give kisses or indicate when he’s thirsty. And he uses his eyes to make choices between two objects.

He has friends at preschool at the Parkland School District Troxell Building. He loves music and plays with toys that are activated with switches. His favorite new toy is an iPad that he operates with his fists.

When they moved back to the area, Tabatha and Ryan, grateful for the helpful services Easter Seals provides, started raising money for the organization through its annual fundraiser, Walk With Me Lehigh Valley. They are so committed that each year at Jack’s birthday, they ask family and friends that their gifts be donations to Easter Seals.

The 2012 Walk With Me Lehigh Valley begins at 10:30 a.m. June 23 at the Malcom Gross Rose Gardens in Allentown. The one-half-mile and 1-mile family fun walks begin at 11 a.m. The $20 fee includes a sports sack, T-shirt and lunch. There will be fun activities for children, special mascot appearances (including Iron Pigs’ Ferrous and Max M. Call), Harley Hill Alpacas and therapy dogs.

This year, Jack is a Lehigh Valley ambassador. And his team, Jack Attack, hopes to raise at least $2,000. You can help by walking individually or joining a team. Or you can make a donation to Easter Seals or directly to Jack’s team at www.walkwithme.org/allentown. Info: 610-289-0110, ext. 202.

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,