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Letter to the editor

Family hopes suit helps Jason stand up to cerebral palsy

By RITA FARLOW, Times Staff Writer
Published January 2, 2008

Jason Drozdyk, 3, reacts to a hug from his therapist after an intense therapy treatment in the TheraSuit at Lampert's Pediatric Clinic in Largo. Jason, who has a severe form of cerebral palsy, has difficulty controlling his head and neck, sitting up, and reaching. The TheraSuit helps his body learn how to properly align itself.
	[Atoyia Deans | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Atoyia Deans | Times] Jason Drozdyk, 3, gets help from physical therapist Karey Lumbra while getting into his TheraSuit at Lampert's Pediatric Clinic in Largo. His parents see progress. [Atoyia Deans | Times] Kim Drozdyk talks with Jason before therapy last month. "I saw the results so fast," she says. "He has so benefited from that."

Time may be Jason Drozdyk's greatest enemy. - Conventional wisdom says early intervention is the best way for him to gain better control of his muscles. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy as an infant, Jason, 3, struggles to hold his head up and can't straighten his legs into a standing position.

In addition to a regimen of traditional therapies, Jason's parents, John and Kim Drozdyk of Palm Harbor, have tried a range of alternative programs. They saw improvements but knew Jason could do more, Kim Drozdyk said.

Enter the TheraSuit Method. The program offers three weeks of intensive exercise designed to increase muscle strength and coordination.

"There are no limits for Jason, but he has to do all of the hard work. Why should I set limits for him, because he has cerebral palsy?" said Kim, who owns the Dogwater Cafe in Clearwater with her husband.

"Kids don't want to do a lot of things, but do we say, 'Okay, you don't have to'? No. It's good for them."

Kim said she was surprised to find a clinic in Largo that offered the program, which was designed in 2001 by a husband and wife team of physical therapists from Michigan. Lampert's Pediatric Clinic, 8254 118th Ave. N, has used the FDA-approved TheraSuit since the fall.

"It's amazing. So many parents out there have no clue it's right here," Kim Drozdyk said.

The TheraSuit is a flexible, orthotic device connected to elastic bands that can be hooked to a series of weights and pulleys to gently stretch the body into proper alignment.

"It's really hard-core resistance training," occupational therapist Harold Lampert said.

Cerebral palsy is any of a host of neurological disorders that appears early in life and permanently affects body movement and muscle coordination. There is no cure, but capabilities can be improved with therapy, orthotic devices, medications and sometimes surgery.

Suit therapy is a byproduct of the Russian space program. It was created to counteract the deterioration of muscle and bone mass caused by long periods of weightlessness, Lampert said.

The protocol includes three hours of intensive treatment five days a week for three weeks, followed by two to three months of rest.

Treatment starts with massage to loosen muscles and increase circulation before the patient goes through a series of strength-training exercises.

Next comes the TheraSuit, which includes shorts, a vest, kneepads, a hood and shoes with attachable bungee cords. The cords can be adjusted to manipulate the muscles into a desired position.

Some of the elastic bands are then connected to a "universal exercise unit" which resembles a large cage. The bands help support the child, who can then work on specific muscles without the pressure of gravity.

The exercises can be grueling. Strapped into his suit on a recent morning, Jason grunted and occasionally let out a cry as he strained against the bands to raise his head.

The goal is for the patient to relearn proper alignment and movement, Lampert said. "Jason cannot stand up by himself, so we want him to feel what it feels like to stand up and do activities," he said.

Jason isn't the only one in the Drozdyk household with cerebral palsy.

His twin sister, Jessica, has a milder form of the disorder. After losing two babies of their own, the Drozdyks adopted the twins in 2004 from a young woman who was in jail.

After three weeks of treatment, Kim Drozdyk said she has already seen improvements in Jason's balance, vision and motor skills from the TheraSuit treatment.

"I saw the results so fast," she said. "He has so benefited from that. His standing is awesome now."

Rita Farlow can be reached at farlow@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4162.

Fast facts

To learn more

Lampert's Pediatric Clinic is located at 8254 118th Ave. N, Suite 100, Largo.

For information, call 541-5304, or visit the Web page at www.intensivetherasuit.com.

- For information on ThersaSuit, visit the Web site at www.therasuit.com.

- To donate to the Drozdyks, visit their Web page, www.justforjason.com.

[Last modified January 1, 2008, 21:17:00]