Magic for - great news!

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Magic for (Note: photos will be added to our photo section as

soon as possible)

Magic happened for 5th grader, Robedeaux of Los Angeles, when

she received a prestigious award from , Friday, April 23, 2004, for

promoting CMT awareness. The fun began when her teacher Mrs. Prieto gave

a two-fold homework assignment; to write a speech on " an American

invention " AND to present her speech to her entire class in exactly

three minutes.

knew exactly what to do: write and speak about the DAFO.

(Dynamic Ankle Foot Orthotic) She spent several hours perfecting and

memorizing her words. chose a subject she was familiar with; she

and her two older brothers all have CMT.

presented her first public speech on March 25th, 2004 to her

class of 90, 5th graders. Class awards were given, but 's speech

went just a few seconds under the 3 minute mark and thus, she did not

win.

But then real magic happened for . , an international group

which promotes public awareness for Charcot Marie Tooth disorder,

presented her with an engraved plaque, a $50 check and a letter thanking

her for promoting CMT awareness in their " 2004 - The Year of the CMT

Child " campaign.

This special award was presented by her school principal at an ALL

school assembly April 23, 2004. Teachers first presented the student of

the month awards. Then the Principal said they had a very Special Award

to give out. The Principal read the congratulatory letter from

without saying who the child was; then called 's name. She was so

surprised! All the students of the assembly cheered louder for

than they have ever cheered for anyone before! Both 's Mom and

Grandmother were in tears!

And one more time, was delighted to present her speech - only

this time not only children heard her words, but many parents, teachers

and school staff. An estimated 1,500 persons now know all about " DAFOs:

an American Invention " , and they have also been made aware of Charcot

Marie Tooth disease as a result of 's speech.

is a very creative and bright young lady, and enjoys oil

painting and pastel classes, animals, and has been a Girl Scout for six

years. has won other awards too, for her paintings and for being

the TOP cookie salesperson in her troop for five years in a row! She's

very close to her family, including 3 brothers and an older sister.

This is the text of her speech: " An American Invention: the DAFO "

a speech written and presented by Desidree Robedeaux of Los Angeles

For a child that has a medical disability that causes weakness in their

ankles and legs, The Dynamic Ankle Foot Orthotic could be the best

invention for them to having a happier childhood. The DAF0 was the

invented by a physical therapist named Hylton and a certified

orthotist Don Buethorn. An orthotist is someone that makes braces and

artificial limbs for people in need of them.

In 1980, designed a plaster brace that she was able to use in

therapy to help children walk. The problem with the plaster braces that

had designed was that they were breaking too easily. They did not

last for more then a few therapy sessions.

Don Buethorn loved the idea of a new brace to help children walk and

play. So he took 's idea back to his workshop and figured out how

to make a flexible fiberglass wrap around brace that they later named

the Dynamic Ankle Foot Orthotic.

The DAFO was very successful in the trial studies. They were easy for a

child to put on using the Velcro straps. And only weighed a few ounces.

The children were able to personalize the DAFOS by choosing the colors

of the padding and the colors of the Velcro straps. Personalizing made

the DAFO brace exciting and fun for the child to wear.

The DAFO braces were so successful in helping children that in 1982 Don

Buethorn started a company called Cascade so that his DAFO design could

be sold all over the world. Cascade has over 100 employees and is

growing more each year.

Making the mold for the DAFO is not painful. The child has to sit still

for about 20 minutes. Their feet and lower legs are wrapped in a warm

plaster cloth that dries very hard. It takes about 10 minutes for the

cloth to dry. After it is dry the molding specialist cuts the plaster

away carefully.

Each DAFO is unique. The casting is sent to the Cascade Company in

Ferndale, Washington. Cascade uses the original mold to make another

mold out of fiberglass. That mold becomes the DAFO. The Velcro straps

are attached the padding is added then the DAFO is mailed back to the

physical therapist. The entire process takes about 3 weeks.

The child wearing the DAFO for the first time has to get used to them

for a few hours. The brace may also need some minor adjusting. But after

they are adjusted the magic begins.

The child falls down less with the braces on reducing the amount of

injuries he would have had. Children won't need to hold the handrail

going up stairs as tight. Children have less pain and don't get tired as

easily. Children can also run and play more then before the brace.

DAFOs are very expensive. They cost about $1,200 a pair. Medical

insurance will pay for the braces if they are needed.

The Cascade Company has won an international reputation for improving

the lives of children all over the world. Millions of children that wear

the DAFO style brace have become healthier more active and happier kids,

thanks to the Cascade Company.

(copyright 2004 TF)