Sunshine Therapy brings Suit Therapy to children with Cerebral Palsy to South Florida

The only clinic of its kind in the Southeastern United States gives Cerebral Palsy patients the ability to walk for the first time ever

MIAMI/FT. LAUDERDALE (PRWEB) March 23, 2004 --Children with Cerebral Palsy and their parents now have the opportunity to have a dream come true: crawl, walk and stand for the first time. Sunshine Therapy has opened a Suit Therapy clinic, pediatric intensive therapy for children with cerebral palsy, in Miami. The clinic has had greater than 80% success in its patients walking either freely or with a walker as opposed to being confined to a wheelchair.

Sunshine Therapy, which specializes in pediatric rehabilitation techniques, is the brainchild of Patricia Gonzalez, Occupational Therapist. Gonzalez founded the clinic using cutting edge technology to allow children with neuromuscular disorders, the opportunity to receive intensive physical therapy that once was only offered in Poland. Gonzalez received special training from Polish Physical Therapists.

Suit Therapy works by having the child put on a suit, which originated in Russia to assist the cosmonauts in their therapies after long missions. The suit is made up of a vest, shorts, knee pads and special shoes attached by using bungee type bands that are used to correctly align the body and provide resistance as movements are performed. The main function of the suit is to improve and change awareness of where the body is in space, reduce pathological reflexes, restore proper patterns of movement and load the body with weight similar to gravitational forces while in correct alignment. The resistance the child gets from the bands brings them into correct alignment and in turn causes the strengthening. While in the suit, the child is put through a series of exercises targeting their developmental needs. They can sit, roll, crawl, tall kneel, walk, and perform sit-ups.

Well-known and respected pediatric orthopedic physician Dr. Michael Tidwell, located at Miami Childrens Hospital, is the consulting physician for the clinic. Dr. Tidwell oversees all patients undergoing Suit Therapy before, during and after. Hudson is about to begin performing research in Suit Therapy with Dr. Tidwell.

I can honestly say that it is a blessing to have this medical breakthrough in South Florida to give the opportunity for children around the world to receive this therapy," says Dr. Tidwell. The results in these children are remarkable."

Sunshine Therapys program consists of 20 hours per week (four hours per day, five days a week) for three weeks. During the treatment, the child receives hot packs, massage, daily treatment in the Suit, vigorous mat exercises, and exercises in the Universal Exercise Unit, also known as the spider cage". The child will engage in gross motor activities designed to propel the child to the next milestone. Physical, occupational, speech and massage therapy are provided to ensure a well-rounded treatment.

It is a dream come true for my husband and I to have been blessed with the ability to make this treatment available in the United States," says Gonzalez. We have made an investment which gives us returns that are immeasurable. At Sunshine Therapy, we bring hope to children and teach them never to say never."

Sunshine Therapy offers suit therapy, aquatic therapy, hippotherapy and swimming with dolphins making this the only program of its kind in the world.

For more information on the therapy, you can visit www.sunshinetherapy.com or call 1-800-901-0947.

Testimonials:
Sunshine Therapy has been a dream come true. The incredibly intelligent creative and loving therapists have worked tirelessly with my child, ensuring all along that she was energized and excited about the work. At the end of three weeks, there have been a number of firsts: standing upright against a wall, throwing and catching a ball while wearing the suit, jumping 'by myself in the spider cage with bungee supports, and on the next to the last day, she sat up from lying in a totally independent sit-up, 'I never did that before! My hopes that Claire might become an independent walker and eventually independent person, are rekindled." --Beryl Polin, mother of 7 year-old Claire Polin.

My ten year-old son has made more progress during the few weeks he has been involved in the intensive program than in any program he has ever been in. I am absolutely amazed at how much better he is walking, moving and using his left arm (which he never used). He is bearing weight 100% more than when he started. He has become more aware of his body and the things it can do. Now, it is much easier for me to move him, because he helps me a lot more. Thank you Sunshine Therapy!"-Kenneths Mom

NOTE TO REPORTERS: Each center is open to press. The therapists, patients and their families are available for interviews in English and Spanish. Before and after video and photos are available for press as well.