WHO: Sidney, a five-year-old little boy from Dalzell, IL born with severe birth defects

WHAT: Sidney’s favorite time of day is bathtime because the hot water allows his muscles to relax and he can move around with less pain.  Unfortunately, the bath water soon turns cold and, as he grows, the tub offers less room for movement.  But today, , Sidney will be able to experience the benefits of warm water therapy for as long as he likes right in his own backyard.  

WHY:  Sidney was born with frontalnasel dysplasia (his nose was split in two perfect halves), an encepholocele (frontal brain lobe and surrounding membranes bulging through nose area), a small corpus callosum (part of the brain that promotes balance), enlarged third and forth ventricles (fluid filled cavities in the brain), split sinuses, mid-face cleft (palate and upper jaw line split) and his eyes were very widely spaced and somewhat protruding due to pressure from the encephalocele dandy-walker cyst. 

After too many surgeries, Sidney is able to move about with a walker and attend regular kindergarten, but still has a daily battle walking because of a stroke he suffered at age two.  His parents hope the hot tub therapy will help him walk on his own and be more independent.

Not only does a hot tub provide Sidney with a chance to move and play more freely on his 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 the Healing Spa™ to Sidney.  Designed with the Arthritis Foundation, The Healing Spa features a special child seat, 69 therapy jets and easy-to-use knobs and handrails.