Physical therapy can help people with all sorts of ailments and those of all ages, even young children struggling with birth defects.
Max Roets – a 1-year-old from upstate New York – regularly receives both occupational therapy and physical therapy to help him with his spina bifida, according to the Evening Observer.
Spina bifida – which is technically called myelomeningocele – affects about one out of every 800 infants, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. It is characterized by the spinal canal and backbone not closing before birth.
While Max had to spend the first three months of his young life in the hospital, where he underwent seven surgeries, he now receives help from a physical therapist.
According to the news source, the therapy work is helping Max to function. He can now sit up independently, roll and pull himself along the floor while lying on his stomach. Max is even able to move around in his pediatric wheel chair, reports the news provider.
Max’s parents – along with a number of other couples whose children receive help from occupational therapists for their spina bifida – are reportedly running the New York City Marathon to help raise money for the Spina Bifida Association.