Therasuit

UCP has determined that a combination of intensive, personalized short-term therapy combined with long-term more limited therapy was the best approach. UCP was able to find grant money to make the initial investment in equipment and training for an intensive therapy modality called suit therapy. Suit therapy originated in the Russian space program to address the deterioration of muscle and bone mass after cosmonauts spent long periods in a weightless environment. They found that by localizing a body component and repeating therapeutic exercises, remarkably quick restoration of the prior function was attained. In fact, the "Therasuit" program is the only FDA approved equipment of its type. Donate now - $2,500 will purchase a mechanical exercise pony.

This therapy was translated to individuals born with a disability or who acquired a disability because they face comparable issues. An estimated 50% of individuals with CP (and comparable percentage for other neuro-muscular conditions or diseases) have spasticity or hypo/hyper tone in their muscles. They can not control movement because the muscle either triggers on its own or is over/underutilized. Many individuals with physical disability also face weak postural muscles and improper alignment which, if unaddressed, can become extremely physically limiting as the child grows to adulthood.

Parents of children with disabilities are faced with the incredible task of not only the significant on-going care needs of a child with a disability, continual doctor and therapy visits, but also, typically, significant medical and other bills associated with their child's disability. Both remarkable success stories we have seen and small scientific studies confirm the benefits of intensive suit therapy. In fact, some private medical insurance companies have begun to cover it as a mode of therapy. However, because more than 65% of our existing clients have a household income below $25,000 a year, combined with significant medical and care costs for the member of their household with a disability-most can not afford this extremely beneficial form of therapy.

Why United Cerebral Palsy?

As we developed the business plan for the Intensive Therapy Program, we asked why we should provide this service. This is a high-level overview of why we came to the conclusion that United Cerebral Palsy should seek funding on behalf of our clients and why we ask for your support today:

Intensive suit based therapy and therapy for children over the age of three is a natural extension of our existing therapy services;

UCP already has a waiting list of clients seeking these services without marketing these services;

UCP has six certified suit therapists on staff who can safely and effectively provide this therapy

We have approached a nationally recognized children's hospital to collaborate in a study of the efficacy and impact of this therapy;

The program would allow us to reach out to higher income families who could help make the program self-sustaining through private pay or private insurance;

We can use our organizational structure to provide needed volunteers to keep costs lower and increase awareness of people with disabilities in the community;

United Cerebral Palsy has been serving children with disabilities for 57 years-we are qualified and can efficiently provide the services, we are proven good stewards of funds raised; and,

Other agencies/providers are inconsistent or are not providing comparable services.

Benefits of Intensive Therapy

Intensive suit based therapy is used to achieve psychological, cognitive, behavioral, and communication goals. Clients' posture, balance, mobility and/or function can all be improved with the use of this therapy. The therapy is provided by a licensed therapist-United Cerebral Palsy has six certified therapists on staff. The client is positioned in a suit which allows for alignment using bungee cord - getting the child to start moving which in the suit can be difficult, especially if they have used wheelchairs their whole lives. Their muscles can be stiff, spastic, and atrophied from years of non-use. Children lose muscle, bone density and the neural connections used to move and walk. Because of this, their brains must be trained to direct their muscles on how to move. The suit allows them to learn to sit up, roll, crawl, stand up, stretch out and eventually begin walking on a treadmill.

The potential benefits of this therapy combined with traditional physical and occupational therapy include:

Physical Benefits

Moblizes pelvis, lumbar spine and hip joints;
Modifies and makes muscle tone more efficient;
Develops head and trunk postural control;
Improves symmetry;
Provides strong graded tactile, proprioceptive and vestibular input which can be used to improve sensorimotor integration;
Improves dynamic postural stability
Facilitates development of righting and equilibrium reactions;
Improves body awareness;
Improves spatial orientation;
Improves strength of postural muscles;
Improves endurance;
Stretches selected muscles;
Has a positive effect on respiratory function, circulation, neurogenic bladder, and intestinal functional disorders

Psychological Benefits

Improves self-esteem;
Improves confidence;
Improves motivation; and
Increases attention span.

United Cerebral Palsy is currently seeking start-up funding to cover our costs.

All programs are based on certain eligibility requirements
and may be based on available funding. Call for fees and other information.
Reduced fees may be available dependent on funding.

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