Via Sacramento CBS13
A bike ride is a family effort for 8-year-old Kenyon Hubbert. Mom and Dad get him strapped onto his special bike and his little sister even gives him a boost from behind.
Kenyon has cerebral palsy. He had surgery in December to correct his feet in hopes he wouldn’t need crutches one day. Once he was in recovery and ready for physical therapy, the pandemic shut everything down, including his physical therapy.
“It’s very hard. It’s just like my Mom and Dad are helping me like they’re a doctor,” said Kenyon. “I want to walk like other kids. I can’t just do it by myself. I need to learn.”
“If we let him plummet back down to what he was it could get worse, he could be in a wheelchair,” said his father, Stephon.
Kenyon isn’t alone. The pandemic has been challenging for patients and physical therapists. Ben Braxley, interim manager of the Mercy Outpatient Rehab Center, says while his offices are open, there are a lot of changes. Patients are kept physically distanced and even required to wear masks. Some use video conferences. While there are options, he worries some won’t use them and delay their care during the pandemic.