Seasons of Giving

February 12, 2003

2 Brothers with Hunter Syndrome see their Wish Come True
David & Chip receive their own hot tub in time for Valentine's Day

Grand Rapids, MI - When nine-year old David and seven-year old Chip first took water exercise classes, they were hooked immediately. The water exercise soothed the brothers' stiff and sore muscles and joints and allowed them to move about with less pain. Unfortunately, their insurance would not continue to cover this treatment and the benefits faded. But now, thanks to ThermoSpas, David and Chip are able to experience the benefits of warm water therapy every day right in their own backyard.

David and Chip suffer from Hunter Syndrome, an MPS disorder that produces many physical and neurological problems. The most painful of these problems is muscle and joint stiffness. Not only does the donated hot tub provide David and Chip with a chance to move freely and play less painfully on their own, but it also offers proven therapy.

Rose Pelton, an Occupational Therapist who had been working with the boys for four years, contacted ThermoSpas in hopes of getting the boys' wish granted. Pelton's own daughter suffers from multiple sclerosis, but she wrote to ThermoSpas asking that her patients be considered instead.

"I would have loved to have one," Pelton said. "ThermoSpa asked me, 'Are you sure you want to give this up?' But even if I had won it, I would have given it away."

According to Pelton, "As a pediatric occupational therapist, I am in contact with many children who would benefit from the use of heat modality for muscle relaxation, joint relaxation, joint laxity, antigravity strengthening and pain relief. No family would benefit more ...to give the chance for longer, pain-reduced quality of lives."

"It was very noble of Rose,"said Jeff Lawson, factory technician for ThermoSpa. "I wish we could give two away. A panel looked at different situations to see who would benefit most. It was really a no-brainer for the two boys."

Dave in his Concord Spa
Dave in his Concord hot tub

"To Thermospa,
We would like to thank you again for giving us a Thermospa for our children. David and Chip have really benefitted from this. The effects of being in the Thermospa are felt everyday. The warm water therapy helps ease their aches and pains in their bodies. They walk and move around much better after a dip in the tub. We are able to stretch their muscles after they have been in the Thermospa. They are much more relaxed and willing to do their therapy. They even sleep better at night since their muscles are relaxed. The time in the Thermospa is the highlight of their day. Steve and I feel that this has been a real blessing for the boys.
Thank you again,
Steve and Laurel Radius"

David and Chip live with their parents, Laurel and Steve. Today, the boys now have a younger sister, Amy, and the entire family can be seen in the portrait below, taken recently in 2005. Therma Spa donated and installed a Concord Spa with 46 jets for warm water therapy. The hot tub is big enough to fit the whole family, yet it still fits in their backyard, and everyone here at ThermoSpas wishes them all the best!