This year Sonya went to the first grade. She walked on her own, on her own feet. Only under the high colored socks on her feet the girl had "plastic boots" up to her knees. This is an ankle apparatus, Sonia walks thanks to them. Because Sonya was born with a diagnosis of spina bifida.
A herniated spinal cord, or spina bifida, is a birth defect that forms early in pregnancy. The vertebrae do not fully fuse, the spinal cord is trapped in the "cleft," and sensation in the lower body is impaired. Babies born have no control over their bowels and bladder, and they can develop hydrocephalus - when fluid accumulates in the brain. Often they cannot walk at all or have difficulty doing so. In terms of intelligence, they do not differ from their peers. In Russia, about one child in a thousand is born with spina bifida.
Because of the basic diagnosis, Sonia has a poor nerve signal to her legs. She feels support, but it is impossible to train the muscles in her legs. That is why she needs ankle brace, so nothing deforms further. Without them, with time her joints will get so distorted that she will not be able to stand up.
Specialist of the "Spina Bifida" Foundation, occupational therapist Yulia Talerova, who leads the family, says: "Sonya loses her balance when standing and walking. When walking, her heel area is supported without full extension of the knee joint. The ankle apparatus will provide good stability and an even distribution of the load over the entire foot. The apparatus will fix the foot in a functionally favorable position, as well as facilitate the extension of the knee joint. This product will increase Sonya's motor capabilities.
The device Sonya uses now is too small for her. It's time to make a new one. The one that was made according to IPRA was so bad that it was impossible to wear it even after correction. Sonya's family came to our fund for help in buying an expensive ankle appliance.
Let's help Sonya to keep walking on the road of life with her own feet! In bright colored socks and in supportive foot and gait apparatus.
