Say Hello to Daniel

Daniel is a very joyful 12-year-old boy who was admitted to Totally Kids for acute rehabilitation following surgery to his lower extremities. Since birth, Daniel has undergone a series of surgeries and procedures designed to help him maximize his physical abilities and live a healthier life.

In April of this year, Daniel underwent the latest series of surgeries, including a bilateral femoral extension and shortening osteotomies, among others. The goal of these surgeries was to increase Daniel’s ability to straighten his knees and restore more normal anatomy to his legs in general.

After surgery, Daniel had received outpatient therapy at another facility but was unable to make gains due to anxiety and pain. This led to a decrease in his range of motion. Shortly after this, Daniel began receiving multidisciplinary therapies at Totally Kids, including physical, occupational, speech, and recreation/play therapies.

Daniel learned coping skills. Through the use of virtual reality as he received physical therapy, Daniel was able to decrease his anxiety to the point of being able to tolerate full sessions. This was something he had not been able to do prior to being admitted to Totally Kids. Daniel’s mobility increased to the point where was then able to use a wheelchair on his own to go from one therapy session to another.

This level of activity led to an increase in Daniel’s strength and endurance. So much so that he was able to tolerate 2-hour sessions with his peers. Daniel enjoyed several activities with the therapy team including baking, art, playing Pop the Pig®, board games, and video games.

Daniel successfully met his therapy goals and was discharged to go home with his family. The day before he was discharged, Daniel took it upon himself to take pictures with every member of the therapy team, and other staff members he so happily came to know. This included Beatriz and Teresa at Environmental Services, who spent time with him every day as they cleaned his room. 

Daniel’s success was so inspiring that the Totally Kids staff organized a party to celebrate Daniel completing his therapy program. Fellow patients, who Daniel had befriended, were invited and Daniel even showed off his synthesizer skills for those in attendance. Daniel’s joyful attitude is inspiring to everyone around him. We are happy that he is home with his family and are grateful to have shared an important moment in time on his road to recovery!