REGINA — It’s not often a parent is told their child cannot walk independently, but for Inna Begelfer’s son Leo, that became a reality.
Leo was diagnosed with FOXG1 syndrome, a rare neurological disorder which causes developmental delays and intellectual disability.
“I felt like the whole world shot for me for sure. I didn't know what to do. That's for sure because this is my first experience with someone who has disabilities,” said Begelfer.
Leo’s family decided to research FOXG1 syndrome and figure out how they could help him.
“We needed him to do occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech," said Begelfer.
Leo began doing physical therapy at First Steps Wellness Centre when he was presented with an opportunity to use the Trexo robotics walking device.
The device is designed to help children with a disability experience over-ground walking.
Bryce Cockwill, the head of the Trexo program at First Steps Wellness Centre, said kids using the device are first measured before examining their hip drive, leg extension and knee bending.
“Once we get it going, we set how much assistance we want to give them and how much range we want to give that assistance in.”
The device features various coloured lights that inform wellness workers if any adjustments are needed, including resistance.
Included with the device is an app which can track the progress and range of motion of its user.
“[Leo] has been in here twice. This time, his initiation of each movement was nearly double. So, it just shows that it's a pretty quick turnaround for him,” said Cockwill.
“[This is] a great opportunity and we literally can utilize it and make his [Leo’s] process quicker. And he loves it, he literally smiles. He enjoys it, so I'm like it's a win-win situation for us,” said Begelfer.
Andy Schmidt, director of communications at First Steps Wellness Centre, said the device was donated by an individual who wished to remain anonymous.
“The individual confided in me that they'd been looking for a few months for a way that they could make a donation to us, and they were just at home watching [the] news, actually. I think it was a national news program that talked about this company, Trexo.”
Knowing First Steps Wellness Centre had a children’s program, the individual contacted the charity to inquire about the device.
“It was $100,000. And the individual was like, ‘That's alright, I'm prepared to make that donation,” said Schmidt.
Schmidt said the company eventually plans to use the device for seven or eight hours for kids and is open to accommodating later hours and weekend time for families.
