24 year-old with cerebral palsy and epilepsy struggling without physical therapy

Today’s patient consumer perspective article comes originally from KFOX 14 from El Paso, Texas.

EL PASO, Texas — The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a halt on surgeries and medical practices not related to the virus, some of which people with disabilities depend on.

Alex Marquez, 24, has both epilepsy and cerebral palsy.

His mom, Sasha LaSalde, walked KFOX14 through their day-to-day battles without physical therapy.

Alex depends on therapy to be mobile.

“It gives him strength,” Sasha said.

For Alex, physical therapy is healing for both his body and his soul.

“They would laugh or listen to music,” Sasha said. “It’s really hard because we can’t have therapy.”

Alex would visit with a physical therapist several times a week.

“[Alex] can’t walk on his own,” Sasha said. “He’s relying on me to help him, put him in the car, or help him sit down.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced his therapists to temporarily close, causing him to “backtrack.”

“[Alex] can’t give himself physical therapy,” Sasha said.

Sasha said there’s no progress without the help of physical therapy.

“It makes his joints and his legs really weak,” Sasha said. “He’ll get muscle spasms from time-to-time.”

The prolonged distance is taking its toll on Alex, who is more independent with therapy.

“He’s an independent person but with that, it’s frustrating for him,” Sasha said.

When the stay-home orders are eventually lifted, Alex will go back to therapy, taking a bigger challenge with him.

“He’ll have to work a little bit harder and double time,” Sasha said.

Sasha said Alex does stretches at home, but that’s the most he can do without equipment.

Sasha said Alex’s epilepsy prevents him from looking at a screen for too long because it could cause seizures. Instead of watching TV or movies, their family is drawing with Alex, being outside, and hanging out together.

. . . . . . . [See The Original Article]