Mission & Values

The Keefer Family

Brian Keefer fractured and dislocated vertebrae in his neck in a gymnastics accident on July 1, 2008. The fractured bones pinched and bruised his spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. Brian has been participating in a land and water therapy program at the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s International Center for Spinal Cord Injury in hopes of regaining movement.

His story was such an inspiration that Ty Pennington and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition came to central Pennsylvania, and asked Middletown based HydroWorx to contribute to their life-altering project. The national tv show aired in October 2011.

The Keefer family was the recipient of a fully renovated residence that included a HydroWorx therapy pool as the centerpiece of the remodel. Christy Sachs, Adapted Aquatics Manager at Kennedy Krieger, says the HydroWorx pool is a fundamental part of Brian’s therapy: The first time Brian got in the HydroWorx pool, he was able to raise his arms higher than ever before. Because of water’s assistive properties, Brian experienced freer movement than he could on land. We can adjust the height of the water, which allows Brian to transition from sitting to standing. The therapy jets challenge Brian’s sitting balance, which has improved so much since his first sessions. And, once Brian masters a skill, these adjustable features allow for greater challenges that promote further progress.

Brian spends at least one hour of his therapy sessions in the water, says Jennifer Silvestri, an occupational therapist at Kennedy Krieger. The buoyant force of water supports his weight so that he can perform activities that would be impossible on land. “In the pool, I’m free,” Brian said after Extreme Makeover: Home Edition crews knocked on the family’s door last June to tell them that they would be featured on the show. “I forget that I’m injured.”

The Keefer family is currently enjoying their newly remodeled home as well as the opportunity for Brian to do his rehab more frequently, at his own home, and hopefully with the same amazing results he’s been achieving so far.

The Miller Family

The Blackwell Family

The Blackwell Family is a tight knit family that has suffered many health problems. Not only does mother, Kim, suffer from Multiple Sclerosis, but Taylor, their 7 year old was diagnosed with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, or “brittle bones disease”. This genetic defect affect the body’s production of type 1 collagen and affected individuals can suffer several hundred broken bones during the course of their lifetime.

In her 7 years, Taylor has had 17 fractures, 8 surgeries and three titanium rods placed in her legs. Despite these setbacks, Taylor is an extremely bright and social girl. She lives with a smile and thrills at the activity of physical therapy. She thrives in the water, as it reduces the pressure on her fragile bones and eases her anxiety of falling—this helps her recover from her surgeries faster. Taylor’s mother has seen her build confidence and strength from aquatic therapy. At this time, Taylor only has access to land-based therapy for one hour every week. Through the efforts of the Blackwell’s community and many individuals, their poolroom is almost complete.

Blackwell Family Update:

After using the pool for over a year, Taylor is doing well and is now able to swim. Her progress has been great. Before the pool room she would not put her head under water. Now she swims laps in the pool , and enjoys diving for things in the water at the bottom of the pool. She also enjoys walking on the treadmill. Her Physical Therapist is working with her on things she has never worked with her on before and credits this to Taylor having the pool and spending so much time in the pool each week. Her family can already see such a difference in how well she is doing.