Pilates therapy helps Georgia stand tall
For the first time in her life, six-year-old Georgia Farnan is standing tall, even able to walk a few steps using crutches instead of always relying on a bulky walker.
Born with cerebral palsy, which heavily restricts movement in her lower limbs, Georgia owes her new-found independence to a remarkable pilot program that uses Pilates reformer equipment to build up the core strength and balance she needs to stand. Ultimately, her family hope she will be able to stand without support.
Georgia's progress was made possible after the White Zebra Foundation, the not-for-profit arm of therapy service Wize Therapy, was given $28,000 to fund a pilot program using clinical Pilates for children with physical disabilities.
The funding came from the Jon and Barry Brealey Trust, set up by the parents of two boys who had neurological diseases.
Physiotherapist Jodie Kariyawasam developed the intensive nine-week program, of modified Pilates reformer exercises using movable platforms and a series of pulleys and strings.
Ms Kariyawasam said that while there was no known published research on the benefits of using reformer equipment in children with disabilities, she had seen a significant improvement in their motor function.
Claire Gardiner said her daughter had come on in leaps and bounds since she started the intensive therapy six months ago.
"Georgia has always used a walker, but we've always hoped she could use crutches which are less labour- intensive and make it much easier for her to get around, but she wasn't keen because she didn't have the strength and balance," Ms Gardiner said.
"Now she uses crutches a lot, including in her classroom, and she has been able to climb stairs and go down the slide on her own for the first time."
