Disclaimer: The following was excerpted from an article in the Capper Foundation Archives. The choice of words used at the time this was written may not reflect current Capper Foundation inclusive language and views.

Deana (1986)

Deana White is the youngest of three children born to Darrel and Jeana White. She was born with myelomeningocele and paralyzed laryngeal cords. Because of a Total Team approach as well as excellent parent involvement from infancy to the present, Deana has achieved a high level of academic and therapeutic success.

Deana entered the Capper Program in September of 1979 at the age of one year. She was brought to the center for a one hour per week program in addition to a home program.

Her time in the program has gradually expanded throughout the years and she is now enrolled in a full day academic program with scheduled times out of the room for speech-language training, physical therapy and occupational therapy.

Deana has limited fine-motor control. She completes all academic assignments with the use of augmentative equipment such as a Memo-Writer and typewriter.

She attends speech therapy, where she works on improving her communication skills. She communicates by using a combination of manual signs, gestures and vocalizations.

Wheelchair skills have improved, and she is now independent in wheeling. Emphasis in physical therapy is now on improving wheelchair transfer skills and upper extremity strength. In occupational therapy, emphasis is on balance-related activities, fine-motor skills and dressing skills.