Thursday, December 09, 1999

Toddler needs special chair to sit up

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BY CINDY KRANZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer

David Stetter, 2 1/2, has periodic seizures because of a neurological disorder. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        David Stetter can't crawl, walk or talk, but nothing stops him from smiling.

        The 2¹/₂-year-old Dry Ridge boy was born with a neurological disorder and still suffers from periodic seizures. Even so, he's a mentally alert and friendly toddler.

        “He likes Teletubbies. He likes Sesame Street,” says his 25-year-old mother, Jennifer Stetter. “He likes books to be read to him. He'll play the switch toys.”

        David smiles as she talks. Ms. Stetter swoops him off the floor and holds him in her lap. He nuzzles her face, and she kisses him. His prognosis is uncertain, but the right equipment can improve his quality of life.

        David has three hours of therapy each week: occupational, speech and physical. To communicate, he relies on switching devices that allow him to choose between objects. He's working hard with devices that use large buttons to develop his reaching and pushing skills.

        As he masters these skills, David will move to toggle switches and communication boards that will enable him to converse effectively and, eventually, maneuver a motorized wheelchair.

        But first, he must be able to sit up. A “theradapt” chair would provide the support he needs. Because the chair is immobile, it is not covered by medical insurance.

        He's already used a loaner chair effectively. When he's in the chair, his mother says, “He can sit up properly. He's able to hold his head up, and he smiles constantly. He smiles constantly anyway.”

        A laptop computer would enable David to increase his reaching and touching skills. It also would provide educational and recreational software to engage his intellect. “I want him to be able to communicate with kids and people, which he can't do now,” his mother says. It's especially important since he'll attend Head Start next year.

        Ms. Stetter, a single mom, works 12-hour shifts at Sun Manufacturing, six to seven days a week, to help pay for David's catastrophic medical expenses. Since expenses are ongoing, she can't buy him things he needs.

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