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 WHO: Kaitlyn, a fourth grader from Willis, VA who suffers from MPS VI WHAT: When Kaitlyn first floated in a hotel hot tub, she was hooked immediately. The ten-year-old is in almost constant pain and had never felt such ease of movement before. Thanks to several generous companies, today Kaitlyn will be able to experience that freedom right in her own backyard. WHY: Kaitlyn, a typical ten-year-old, loves to play Barbies, talk about boys with her friends and tease her younger sister Ashley. Her favorite color is pink. She also tries to dance like a ballerina, but – unlike most other young girls -- has an extremely difficult time bending and recurrent pain and headaches caused by muscle and joint stiffness. It is hoped that daily use of the hot tub will ease this pain and relax her muscles and joints so that she can enjoy the next boy/girl dance as much as her classmates. Not only does a hot tub provide Kaitlyn with a chance to move and play freely on her own, but it also offers proven therapy:
Kaitlyn has undergone surgery to improve alignment of her long bones, had a bone marrow transplant and numerous other painful procedures. “Kaitlyn is very small for her age and soon will be facing growth hormone shots. This will enhance her joint pain, as headaches and joint pain are a side effect,” said Kathy Stewart, Kaitlyn’s PT, “The hot tub would be excellent for pain management, range of motion exercise and strengthening.” Through the Seasons of Giving donation program, ThermoSpas donated The Healing Spa™, the first hot tub to be designed with the Arthritis Foundation specifically for people with muscle and joint pain. It features a special child seat and 69 therapy jets and easy-to-use knobs and handrails. Leigh Taylor Home Repairs donated the electrical installation. "The ThermoSpa really has helped Kaitlyn with everyday tasks like bending and not having achy bones and just feeling relaxed and not so sore and stiff.
If she's had a rough day she can come home and get in the tub and just relax. And if she has friends over they get in it and it's not like she's having therapy but she really is getting therapy. She doesn't like anyone to really know her problems - she likes to feel like everyone else and having a hot tub around for her to use anytime really helps her. The tub has been like a family outing. We all jump in and just relax and talk. Kaitlyn's favorite time is when it snows and especially at night time. Its wonderful because we know that Kaitlyn is getting relief from something that is fun too. I think this is a wonderful program and it can help so many kids. I know with Kaitlyn's joint and bone problems and her limitations on reaching, bending and stretching the tub really helps her get loose and feel so much better. With her age, it's hard to tell her she needs things to help her, but with the tub she's always ready for it. She wants to feel like a regular teenager and have no limits. With this tub here all the time she's able to have therapy in the privacy of her home and her friends don't really know it. When they come over and say 'Wow, a hot tub!', Kaitlyn will smile really big and say 'Ya, it's mine. Isn't it cool.' Only we know that it's really a therapy tub and a life saver in a way. Without this tub, we would probably have to go to a therapist three times a week and it really wouldn't be much fun. It would cut into her time with friends and going places. I'm really grateful to ThermoSpas' program Seasons of Giving. The bottom line is this is such a great program and the folks with ThermoSpas are such great people. They really care about your child's health." Priscilla H., Kaitlyn's mother April 2, 2007 |
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Kaitlyn smiles. 
Kaitlyn H. enjoying the bubbles in her hot tub.
Kaitlyn H. relaxing in her brand new ThermoSpa hot tub.
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