Putting our Mission into Action

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Thanks to the Lions Clubs International and Wisconsin’s A-1 District, our Neurological and Visual Impairment (NAVI) Program just took a massive leap forward! Our Neurological and Visual Impairment (NAVI) Program just took a massive leap forward! Our dedicated Physical Therapist (PT) and Occupational Therapists (OTs) have officially completed specialized certification training in the TheraSuit Method® and the Universal Exercise Unit (UEU). This cutting-edge framework is a game-changer for the children and adults we serve who live with co-existing neurological and visual challenges.

What are the TheraSuit® and Universal Exercise Unit?

The Universal Exercise Unit (The “Spider Cage”): This unique, three-dimensional wire frame uses a dynamic system of pulleys, weights, and elastic bungee cords. It allows therapists to create a “gravity-eliminated” environment. If a client has weak muscles, the bungees support their body weight so they can practice standing, balancing, or walking without the fear of falling.

Why This Matters for Our NAVI Families 🎯

The TheraSuit®: Originally inspired by NASA space suits, this is a soft, dynamic orthotic suit outfitted with a customizable system of elastic bands. It gently aligns the patient’s body as close to normal posture as possible. This alignment retrains the central nervous system, normalizes muscle tone, and provides deep sensory feedback (proprioception) so patients can feel what correct movement feels like and means.

Navigating the world with both a physical disability and a visual impairment requires immense energy, spatial awareness, and core stability. By combining these tools, our PTs and OTs can accelerate rehabilitation in ways traditional therapy cannot duplicate:

  1. Building True Body Awareness: For individuals with limited vision, knowing where their body is in space is incredibly difficult. The TheraSuit forces the brain and muscles to communicate, building vital spatial orientation.
  2. Accelerating Independence: In the “Spider Cage,” a child or adult can stand independently without manual support from a therapist. This builds foundational gross and fine motor skills—like sitting, crawling, transitioning to a stand, and walking—giving them the freedom to explore their environment safely.
  3. Isolating and Strengthening Weakness: The pulley system allows our therapists to isolate very specific muscle groups. This gives patients with low muscle tone the ability to build strength and joint flexibility safely.

This training empowers our multidisciplinary team to unlock new milestones of self-reliance, confidence, and joy for our NAVI participants. Thank you to our amazing therapists for their hard work and continuous commitment to bringing world-class care directly to our community and leading the way for others to do so!

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