Riding a tricycle may not seem like a major accomplishment to an adult, but to a four year old girl, it can be the difference in making her feel comfortable with other children . . . or feeling different and disabled. This was the case with Hannah when she came to the Rehab for help in overcoming the effects of cerebral palsy on her left side.

Now she can ride a tricycle as well as a bicycle with training wheels! She learned that at the Rehab along with an awareness of “balance and the active role she plays with her balance.” She has learned she can use her left hand AND that it can help her. She uses it more as a “helper hand” where before she just carried it up close to her body.

Hannah has had the opportunity to utilize many of the services provided by WTRC. Whether it is with therapy . . .or making a brace for her left leg . . . or helping her learn to walk with a normal gait . . .WTRC has the trained staff and equipment to provide Hannah with anything she needs!

Her mother stated that they had been to other places for therapy, but she knew the minute she came in for her first evaluation, that WTRC was where they needed to be. When you can make learning how to do fundamental things fun, you can keep a child’s interest. Her mother said, “Hannah loves coming and she’s developed a lot of confidence, and she has a lot of confidence in Michael and Tammy. She’s always happy to come see them and work with them.”

WTRC helps children like Hannah as well as adults of all ages. Throughout the Big Country patients arrive daily, needing help physically, emotionally and sometimes financially. No one is turned away due to their financial circumstances. For over 53 years the mission has never changed.

WTRC helps Xzavier

Everyone coming to West Texas Rehab has a challenge before them and a young boy by the name of Xzavier Castilleja has had one of the greatest . . .learning to walk with only one leg. Xzavier was born without a right leg and has been coming to the Rehab Center for most of his life. If you see Xzavier, he looks like any other little boy . . . running, jumping, playing, and keeping up with all the other kids in his class. But it hasn’t been easy.

Getting to this point has required a series of steps. When Xzavier first started walking with the help of an artificial leg, he also needed a walker. From there, he progressed to crutches, then just one crutch, then walking entirely on his own. Now he has had a functional knee added to the leg, which requires additional learning and practice

Xzavier continues to receive therapy on a weekly basis at WTRC in San Angelo. He has been able to rely on WTRC every “step” of the way. The artificial leg, the walker, the crutches and the therapy have all been provided under one roof and his family has been able to do this without the financial burden most facilities impose on a family with this type of disability. WTRC works with him on gait training, balance, safety awareness, bending to sit and most recently . . . and often the most important . . . .by providing a summer camp for him!

Camp has been awesome and has helped him get over his fear of leaving his mother who he is understandably very attached to. He’s in school and doing great and he loves to be around other kids . . .normal kids . . .just like him.

Everyone who supports the Rehab helps in some way . . .whether it’s providing a summer camp experience for children with disabilities or working with Xzavier as long as he needs it.

West Texas Rehabilitation Center is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to providing outpatient care each year to over 20,000 children and adults, regardless of their financial circumstances.