Meet Jayceon: Patient Success Story

Jayceon is a creative eight year old who loves reading and was diagnosed with Erb’s Palsy at birth, but that diagnosis has not stopped him from growing up to be a strong little boy. He has received therapy off and on thr oughout his life to support development of motor skills due to Erb’s Palsy making it difficult for him to use his right arm (‘righty’, as he refers to it). When Jayceon began occupational therapy most recently, he wanted to become more independent with his self-help skills with focus on improving the function of his right arm with his mother in full support.

At just eight years old, Jayceon recognized the importance of therapy to help him be more independent during mealtimes, dressing and hygiene routines, and playing. With Jackie (his certified occupational therapy assistant) leading the way, he worked hard every session and in between sessions with his home exercise program to reach his goals. Jayceon responded well to a checklist of all of the exercises and stretches Jackie recommended for him, and with motivation unique to a child, pushed himself to build strength, coordination, and flexibility week after week.

When Jackie first started treating Jayceon, he required assistance from his mother to complete morning and nighttime routines, but Jackie knew Jayceon was full of potential, so they got to work! Jayceon was open to trying new adaptive modifications to help him be more independent with his self-care skills, such as a rocker knife and suction plate during mealtimes, a button hook for dressing, and a long-handled sponge for bathing. With dedication and determination as well as support from Jackie and his mother, Jayceon is now able to brush and style his hair, tie his shoes, bathe himself, and get dressed without help. Jayceon is consistently and spontaneously using his right arm as his helper hand with a variety of activities, and he is always so excited to brag to Jackie about what ‘righty’ has been helping him with every time she arrives for a therapy visit!