WHO: East Providence brothers James (14) & Brandon (10) suffer from Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy

WHAT: When James and Brandon first tried a hot tub, they were hooked immediately.  The water soothed their stiff and sore muscles and joints and allowed them to move about with less pain.   Unfortunately, they could not stay at the hotel forever and a therapeutic hot tub is not covered by their insurance. But today, thanks to ThermoSpas, James and Brandon will be able to experience the benefits of warm water therapy every day right in their own backyard.

WHY:  James and Brandon suffer from Duchennes MD, a painful and progressively worsening disease that eventually leads to the loss of the use of all the muscles in the body. It is ultimately terminal.   

James is confined to a wheelchair and is losing strength in his entire body. Brandon is still mobile, but is unfortunately destined to follow his brother’s path and will require a wheelchair in the next few years.

James must wear braces on his legs all day to help keep his tendons stretched. He has a different pair he must wear to bed. He is having surgery in June to have a metal rod put in his back to stop collapse of the spine. Despite all this, he lives life to the fullest.  James takes the intensive freshman course load at his high school and still finds time to take his 2-year-old niece for wheelchair rides

According to his mother, “James loves hot tubs. Any time we go somewhere that has one he has to go in it. He seems to relax in the water and always gets out with a smile on his face. The gift of a ThermoSpa is a dream come true."

Not only does a hot tub provide James and Brandon with a chance to move freely and less painfully on their own, but it also offers proven therapy:

• Muscle relaxation, which can reduce muscle spasms
• Decreased gravity, which increases breath control
• Improved trunk control, balance and coordination
• Increased mobility and range of motion
• Increased strength and endurance

                     
ThermoSpas donated a Triton Elite hot tub, which has 46 therapeutic jets and the “Ease of Use” commendation from the Arthritis Foundation.