Elks donate $10,000 to help kids with cerebral palsy

Norwalk Reflector - 6/20/2018

June 20--Fisher-Titus is now $10,000 more capable of caring for children with otherwise detrimental muscular diseases like cerebral palsy, all thanks to the generosity of a local group who know first had the effects of the disease.

The Norwalk Elks Lodge No. 730 and the Norwalk Elks Cerebral Palsy Committee presented a $10,000 check to the Fisher-Titus pediatric therapy department Monday.

This $10,000 grant from the Ohio Elks Cerebral Palsy Fund Board was submitted by the Local Cerebral Palsy Fund Committee and the Fisher-Titus pediatric therapy team. The grant will help support programs for pediatric patients with cerebral palsy.

"This is the second time we have applied locally for the grant and we are elated that Fisher-Titus received the funds," said Laura Wheeler, Elks; chairperson for the Cerebral Palsy Fund Committee. "Each year the Norwalk Elks sends funds to the state Elks association and we are happy to see the money come back to our community again this year."

The Norwalk Elks Lodge hosts a fundraiser annually to support cerebral palsy, which is the primary charity focus for the Ohio Elks Association.

Members of the Norwalk Elks Cerebral Palsy Fund Committee include Wheeler, DeEtte Zimmerman, Scott Whitehurst, Dori Weir and Mel Holida.

The local Elks event is designated in memory of Errol "Chum" Zimmerman, a member of the local Elks chapter who had cerebral palsy and died in 2013. Chum also had ties to Fisher-Titus as both a patient and a volunteer.

"Fisher-Titus is excited to receive this grant and will use it to help serve the needs of patients with cerebral palsy. We thank the Elks for thinking of Fisher-Titus as a grant recipient again this year," said Fisher-Titus Health CEO Matt Gross. "In total, we have obtained $25,000 in grant money for pediatric therapy services from the Ohio Elks Cerebral Palsy Fund Board."

On average 7 to 10 percent of pediatric therapy patients seen are diagnosed with cerebral palsy, according to Mary Helton, assistant vice president of ancillary services.

"The Fisher-Titus Pediatric Therapy Department is looking forward to expanding services for individuals with neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral palsy through the purchase of additional equipment and staff training that will help patients more quickly reach their potential," Helton said.

With this year's grant money, Fisher-Titus pediatric therapy staff is considering the purchase of TheraSuits to supplement its universal exercise unit (spider cage) that was purchased with last year's $15,000 grant. TheraSuit facilitates rehabilitation of children with neurological disorders which result in decreased range of motion, muscle weakness, difficulties with movement against gravity, maintaining posture and other motor activities impairments.

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