Kelowna firefighters donate $2,500 to children’s centre to help kids with mobility issues walk

Starbright Children’s Development Centre in Kelowna has acquired three specialized therapeutic devices thanks to a donation from the Kelowna Professional Firefighters Charitable Society (KPFCS).

“Starbright is near and dear to our hearts for what they do at the centre,” KPFCS’ Jason Picklyk said. “They do a lot of great work with children and toddlers who are challenged in the community and we are able to give back with small donations to help them with the work that they do.”

KPFCS recently bought three mobility devices called “Upsees,” which help children with movement difficulties walk by strapping them to adults, for a total cost of $2,500.

The organization then donated the units to the children’s development centre.

The specialized equipment can benefit children with a variety of conditions including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and developmental delays.

Ben Hartman, who is three and a half years old, has cerebral palsy. The Kelowna boy is one of the first clients at Starbright to try out the new equipment.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“Right now he crawls around and we also have a walker that he uses but it’s a work in progress,” Ben’s mom Candice Hartman said.

Ben is able to put weight on his legs and stand but he struggles to walk.

“The way that Ben’s muscles are, his inner thigh muscles are very active, overactive and so when he does take steps, his feet cross over so that is a big hindrance to his walking,” Starbright physiotherapist Kim MacLeod said.

“With this device, it’s really nice because his feet are strapped into the foot plate and move along with the parent’s foot.”

The goal is for Ben to eventually strengthen his walking pattern, making it easier to use his walker.

But the harness device will help him with much more than walking.

“It helps with their cognitive development, being upright with their peers, many kids are motivated to be up, they want to be up on their feet, they love it,” MacLeod said.

Ben’s parents are keeping a close eye on his progress. If their son responds well to the device, they plan on buying their own unit to give their little boy all the tools necessary to move forward.

“To give him the best chance, I mean I don’t think anyone really knows what’s going to happen with their child in this situation or another so we just kind of roll with the punches and take it day by day,” Hartman said.

The units were brought in from Ireland and cost around $800 each.