Clinic gives its costumed patients a day full of parades, candy, games

[Guest guest]

Spooktacular day for kids

Clinic gives its costumed patients a day full of parades, candy, games

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/family/31162

Six-year-old had his first Halloween on his feet Tuesday as

the Batman-clad first-grader born with cerebral palsy went trick-or-treating

at a special holiday party.

, who attends Myers-Ganoung Elementary School, joined brother Chase, 3,

dressed as Spider-Man, and Kelvin, 8, another Spider-Man, as they made their

way through Children's Clinics for Rehabilitative Service's annual Halloween

party. His older brother, Rigo, 16, couldn't join the family because he was

at school.

Parents Lourdes, 36, and Rigoberto, 39, said has endured surgeries on

his hips, knees and ankles. The boy took his first steps this year, two

weeks before his sixth birthday on Jan. 30.

" It was a miracle, " his father said.

has been a client at the clinic, 2600 N. Wyatt Drive, since birth. He

makes regular visits at the nonprofit clinic, which provides medical

services to children with disabilities or other serious medical conditions.

collected his candy bars and Tootsie Roll pops with a helping hand

from his parents.

Clinic staff dressed in their own Halloween costumes and the clinic was

decorated with ghosts, witches, pumpkins and crepe paper.

More than 200 children made the rounds at the Halloween party for kids

unable to trick or treat on foot in their neighborhoods.

There were bumblebees, witches, carrots and pumpkins, Supermen and

Supergirls, some still babes in arms and others on their own two feet.

Pi Kappa Phi, a University of Arizona fraternity, built the party's haunted

house. Fraternity member Tony Barrasso, was born with juvenile rheumatoid

arthritis and was a clinic client as a child.

Barrasso got his fraternity to take on the haunted house as one of its

philanthropic activities, and the tradition continues.

His brother, Danny, 19, a UA freshman and Pi Kappa Phi member, helped build

and run this year's haunted house. Their grandmother, mother, sister and

11-month-old nephew Mylo Gallego - a bumblebee - all joined the party.

Demetrius McCoy, who was born with cerebral palsy and has been a clinic

client since he was 5 months old, will celebrate his 20th birthday today.

On Tuesday, his mother, Kanella McCoy, brought him to an appointment at the

clinic.

They also joined the trick-or-treaters.

Demetrius' face was painted and he looked a scary, bloody mess.

McCoy's costume?

" A doctor from hell, " his mother replied.