Shriners Children's Erie Steps In: Changing the Course of Care for Wyatt

In 2015, brothers Wyatt and Ruger were both diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare genetic disorder that has damaged and weakened their muscles over the past 10 years.

As a result, they rely on power wheelchairs to navigate their daily lives. However, when Wyatt’s insurance denied him the same power wheelchair as his brother, Shriners Children’s Erie stepped in to provide the equipment necessary for him to stay independent and active. With his power wheelchair, Wyatt can move freely and maintain his sense of independence. Thanks to the commitment of Shriners Children’s to provide care regardless of a family’s ability to pay or insurance status, Wyatt received the equipment he needed to live his life to the fullest.

Wyatt received the equipment he needed not just to get around but to thrive. His new powerchair was equipped with features such as elevation, forward and backward movement, upper and lower foot adjustments, and the ability to stand, just as his brother’s chair allows. These functions allow Wyatt to control his movements with greater ease, reduce the risk of pressure sores, position himself alongside his peers and conserve energy throughout the day.

For a teenage boy, these features are important. Not only do they provide proper positioning, comfort and accessibility, but they also allow Wyatt to stay actively engaged with his peers, participate in hobbies and achieve independence in his daily life. The ability to reposition himself and elevate his seat makes everyday activities like eating at a table or reaching for objects much easier. “Without the support of Shriners Children’s Erie, Wyatt would have been provided with a wheelchair that did not meet his needs and of lesser quality compared to his brother,” said Wyatt’s physical therapist, Rachel Mauro, D.P.T. “The impact of receiving a customized power wheelchair to his quality of life is absolutely priceless.”