Seasons of Giving

Kaitlyn receives her very own hot tub courtesy of ThermoSpas & Generous Local Companies.

Kaitlyn, a fourth grader from Willis, VA who suffers from MPS VI, had her wish granted just in time for her eleventh birthday on May 8, 2004. 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.

Kaitlyn in her hot tub

Thanks to several generous companies, from now on Kaitlyn will be able to experience that freedom right in her own backyard. 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 has 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:

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

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 program, ThermoSpas has donated The Healing Spa™, the first hot tub to be designed with the Arthritis Foundation specifically for people with muscle and joint pain. It is the only hot tub to receive the Arthritis Foundation's "Ease of Use" Commendation and features a special child seat and 69 therapy jets.

Special thanks to Leigh Taylor Home Repairs for donating the electrical installation, Home Depot for the electrical supplies, Buffalo Mountain Concrete for the concrete slab installation and Conrock for the concrete.

Designed to embody the company's tagline of "We Turn Water Into Therapy," ThermoSpas "Seasons of Giving" program makes hot tub donations to children with serious illnesses who will benefit from warm water therapy.

Kaitlyn in her Seasons of Giving hot tub

For more information on ThermoSpas Seasons of Giving program or to nominate a child to be considered for a hot tub donation, please click here.