Name: Austin Martin
Date:  11-2008 

The Allternative Gym has giving our family new hope for Austin’s future. This is our first time enrolled in the suit therapy program with the Allternative Gym, but our third time completing the program. We love the suit therapy! It does so much more for improving Austin’s ability than traditional therapies that are only done once a week. The suit therapy results in more strength, endurance and range of motion in Austin. It’s easier to position him. He’s having more regular bowl movements, and is holding his head better in position. Austin smiles each time he crawls and walks with the help of the Adeli suit and his therapist. He loves to be mobile and hasn’t been able to do this on his own. We are very excited each time he initiates movement on his own, bring him closer to independent mobility. We can’t wait to come back for our next session. 

Name: Emma Madison
Date:  11-2008 

Emma seems stronger though her trunk. She is initiating her knees more when crawling with assistance in the quadruped position. We are so pleased with the service and support that we have received while at Allternative Gym. We truly appreciate the staff , their energy, their dedication, and their patience as they worked to teach Emma new skills. Emma enjoyed herself a great deal this past week her first “blasé week” 

Name: Brianna Powers
Date:  10-2008 

In one week, Angie and Melissa worked Bri harder than any therapist in all of her 13 years! I’m guilty of favoring therapy/ therapists that would go easy on Bri. Well, Angie taught me that you have to push your child to reach his/her potential. The Allternative Gym has been another blessing in our family. 

Name:  Dale Clark
Date:  05-29-2008 

Before gym classes, Dale appeared to be just really tired and draggy. Everything seemed to be a hard effort for him to do. He was always tired. Dale’s gym classes have, are, and will be the best thing for him. He walks with a different walk and a different talk. His instructor, Angie has a new and different technique(s) that are what the special needs children and adults need, I am so amazed at what I see and especially the results, I take my hat off to Angie, the work she does and the results she accomplishes, The main ingredient is love, I have seen what her work can do, as I see in Dale. Thank you Angie and your helpers for all you do. I see what a change has been in Dale, I’m so happy he comes here. God bless you all – Especially Angie! 

Childs Name:  Ashley Carrell
Date:  02-2008 

Ashley worked with Angie a couple of years ago and we were excited about working with her again.  Ashley worked so hard during her three (3) week session and we are pleased with what she has done.  Ashley liked to push off with her toes in her walker and they had her walking correctly (flat footed) in the walker.  We have seen an improvement in trunk strength as she sits on the floor.  She has also made some great strides toward crawling.  They have done a great job working with Ashley. The suit is an excellent tool and I strongly recommend Allternative Gym. 

- Shannon Carrell (Mother of Ashley)

Childs Name:  Chad VanDeGriek
Date:  03-28-2008      

The only regret I have about coming…. Is that we didn’t come back sooner!  We waited way too long and let time and money be a factor.  After Chad left from his last visit, he was standing on his own and taking 3 steps on his own.  He was so much stronger!  All of that has changed now.  It is almost like starting over.  I’m amazed at the progress he has made in just one week!  He is standing taller, tall kneeling better and shifting his weight.  I would choose Allternative Gym over surgery any day (which his doctors are recommending).  I plan on bringing Chad back this summer and I’m already excited about what’s going to happen!  Thank you everyone for your hard work and love of these kids!  What you do is amazing!  Thank you!

Childs name: Taylor Rumph 
Date: 5-2007

Taylor was born October 3, 2004 via emergency c-section.  She did not receive adequate oxygen and suffered brain damage to her basal ganglia.  As a result, she has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.  She is very low toned all over, with the worst areas being her trunk, arms and neck.  The Allternative Gym taught Taylor that she does have muscles to be used in those areas.  They helped strengthen her muscles, and as a result, after only one week of fitness suit training, Taylor is holding her head up for longer periods of time.  This progress has been noted by her therapists, as well as family and friends.  She also began to do some prompted army crawling.  It is very important to us that Taylor have some individuality and learn to do some things for herself.  The Allternative Gym has the same goals in mind.  We look forward to returning to the Allternative Gym as soon as possible, we we feel they offer much hope for Taylor.  Taylor’s tolerance for working out increased over the week.  Her head control was the largest accomplishment for her.  It has drastically improved since attending the Allternative Gym.  Her arms also seem stronger.   

Childs name: James Seidl        
Date: 10-20-2006

My son James has spastic cerebral palsy.  He is very tight in the abductors and hamstrings, but weak in the trunk.
He worked with Angie and Marta for two 3 week sessions.  The strengthening as intensity of the program enabled him to take steps on his own-no canes, or walker for the first time at 9 yrs old.  Subsequent sessions have made him stronger and more determined to walk on his own.  Despite the intensity, the team made it fun for the kids so they don’t mind the hard work as much.  James can hardly wait to comeback again for another session.

Lauren Seidl (Mother of James)

Childs name: Megan Strawn
Date: 09-2006

Megan’s right side was loser and she used it more.  All of my questions were answered, and support was offered if I called.  I am fully convinced that this type of therapy/exercise benefited my child.  She made more progress in three weeks of training than in the last year of therapy.  She has been more aware of her right arm and has been weight bearing on it and crawling; all of this from just three weeks of training. Amazing!!!  I have been telling everyone how amazing you all are.  Don’t be surprised if you get calls from Seattle!! 
 

Childs name: Roxanne Poulos
Date: 07-2006

Roxanne had improved her trunk control, improved her head control, as well as gained strength in her legs.   

Childs name: Caroline Armbruster
Date: 07-2006

Caroline’s legs are much straighter when she walks, and she appears to have more confidence; she stood on her own at the hotel at the sofa.  She also shows more strength.  The alternating of the therapists helped expose Caroline to a variety of personalities, and helped her to avoid becoming bored with the repetitions.  We liked the fun, upbeat atmosphere of the gym, while working hard to strengthen muscles, and relax the tight areas on all the kids.  Each therapist seems to be very knowledgeable in this specialized type of therapy.  Caroline is strong and shows more confidence.  Caroline would definitely like to do therapy here again sometime. 

Childs name: Chloe
Date: 07-2006

Chloe got on her hands and knees with no help.  She has been able to hold her head up more strongly, her speech is clearer and her able muscles are very apparent.  She’s stronger all the way around.   

Childs name: Leah Martinez
Date: 07-2006

Leah has improved strength, her crawling has improved, as well as her ability to control or push up on her right leg.  Once again, I am thrilled with the results of Leah’s intensive therapy session.  This is her sixth session in 20 months and my daughter has made wonderful progress.  She has improved trunk control and strength.  She can now sit without falling backwards or sideways for an unspecified amount of time.  She has ability to go from laying on the floor to pulling herself into tall kneeling completely by herself.  She can now crawl across our living room.  She also has improved control over her right leg.  None of these things would be happening without these therapy sessions.  Her therapists at home refused to work on crawling as a means of mobility; their solution was a power chair.  Thanks to these therapy sessions, my daughter is proving everyone wrong and making excellent progress.  I highly recommend this program to any child or adult with cerebral palsy who wants to make progress.  The staff are excellent and really want to see their patients improve.  I love intensive suit therapy and Allternative Gym!  Thank you for believing in Leah and giving her a chance for independence one day.        

Childs name: Malcolm Harris
Date: 06-2006

I have noticed that Malcolm has improved his standing, balance and slightly with his trunk control. 

I someday want to play football and Allternative Gym has helped me get closer to that goal.  Before I came here, I had problems balancing on one knee.  Now, without help, I can balance on one knee.  I have more muscle tone than before, and I have a longer stride when I walk and run.  I am so happy I came to Allternative Gym and the massages were great. Thank you Allternative Gym. 

Childs name: Angel Draper
Date: 06-2006

Angel seems much stronger, and has more confidence in her standing/walking.  The progress that Angel has made, the limits she has pushed and the barriers she has broken though are life changing and priceless.  Thank you so much for your patience and persistence.  By the end of one three-week session, she is able to balance herself with canes, and walk into the gym this morning, unassisted.  She is five years old and has never been able to do this before, in fact, some of her doctors said that she would never be able to do anything for herself.  The results of the in independently focused methods are amazing.  Special thanks to each one of you staff who have been very caring. 

Childs name: Brennan Hammer
Date: 06-2006

I have noticed better head control and activating rolling from back to side.  Brennan has made tremendous growth with his head control.  He held his head for more than 3 minutes when he was in the spider cage.  We could not believe it.  His goal was set for thirty seconds, and he has been doing it consistently plus breaking that goal over and over.  He also started rolling from his back to his side and staying there.  He wised to try to do this but has never relaxed into the position and held it, and now he is. 

Childs name: Madeleine Rigsby
Date: 2006

Madeleine began intensive therapy/fitness when she as 3 ½ years old.  We had done traditionally therapy since she was one and were seeing modest result.  When she can to her first session of intense therapy/fitness, she was only able to sit unsupported for a few seconds.  Her crawling was commando style and she could not pull up or cruise.  The improvements we have seen have been astounding.  Madeleine is now sitting in all different positions, crawling on all fours, pulling up and standing, learning how to cruise around.  Now she is also walking in a walker.  I know these changes are from this form of therapy/fitness.  She has learned how to do more over the last several months than she did in the first 2 years of therapy.  We have great traditional therapists and they will still treat her, but this type is unique.  It is more than your usual couple of hours a week, it is intense and the results prove it works.  After Madeleine had completed her firs 3 weeks, she was crawling.  We had been working on crawling at home for nearly 2 years and now she has learned in 3 weeks.

Once I started seeing all the positive results, I wanted more and more.  I inquired about hyperbaric oxygen therapy.  Madeleine had a speech delay and was only able to say a handful of worked usually one syllable and no sentences.  She did not have much of attention span, and she would never extremities.  I had read that HBOT could help with all of these.  We started with our first 40 hours of hyperbaric, and we did see results.  Madeleine now loves to watch movies, her favorite is Elmo.  She will let you read as many books as possible and still want more.  Her speech is amazing, and her speech therapist has even commented.  Madeleine’s vocabulary has grown and now she says 2-3 word sentences.  Her tone seems to be less, and she is able to sit Indian style with much ore ease.

We are currently doing another session and another round of HBOT.  I know that Madeleine will continue to make progress because I know that what we are doing is working.  I can see all the great changes and positive results.

Jennifer Rigsby (Mother of Madeleine)

Childs name: Josh Camell
Date: 5-10-07

Angie and the Allternative Gym bring therapy/fitness to a new level.  “Traditional” therapy can’t be compared.  They push these kids because they can see the potential inside them.  Your ultimate goals become their goals.

Angie is not only fantastic……..but she is also a parent with a child with special needs.  She knows and understands what us parents are feeling and wishing for.  We had another great session. (Third time)

Kelly Camell (Mother of Josh)