Menu
Kenny Rogers Children’s Center benefits from Byrd estate bequest
SIKESTON — A new fall-prevention system is already making a difference for the therapists and children who receive services at the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center in Sikeston, thanks to a recent donation from the estate of James L. Byrd III.
According to KRCC Executive Director Michelle Fayette, the Center was contacted in early March by a representative from the estate of James L. Byrd III asking if the Center had any equipment or anything we needed.
“We were in the process of researching a piece of equipment, the Solo-Step, which is a fall prevention system, we felt would benefit both our clients and our staff,” Fayette said.
The Solo-Step is installed with a tracking system attached to the ceiling and attached by a harness system protecting the patient from falls and injuries. Solo-Step provides support and increases confidence for patients during all aspects of physical therapy, including sit-to-stand, walking therapy, balance training, gait training and climbing stairs. The system can suspend up to 1,000 pounds, and more than one user can use it at a time.
“As some of our clients get older and larger, it becomes difficult to make sure we are able to work with them in a safe manner, keeping them and the therapist free from fall and or injury,” said KRCC Physical Therapist Brandy Dallas, who has a doctorate in physical therapy.
Fayette noted it was also mentioned to the Byrd estate representative a luxury would be to update the Center’s current wheelchairs that are being used for wheelchair soccer — one of the sports the Center participates in its adaptive sports program.
“A STRIKE FOURCE Power Wheelchair and Soccer Guard have been customized to fit our kids, but adjustable enough to meet their needs as they grow or as other kids enter the league,” Fayette said. “These chairs have a low center of gravity and also feature a wide wheelbase. This allows the chair to move with more agility and spin-kick with more power than any other power wheelchair in the world.”
Each chair is tailor-made with a wide variety of options to perfectly fit each athlete, Fayette said.
The Solo-Step was installed in early April, and the Power-Strike electric wheelchairs have been ordered and are expected to be delivered sometime in June, according to Fayettee.
“The Center wants to give its most sincere appreciation to the estate of James L. Byrd III for their generous support of the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center,” Fayette said.