Quirky. Ambitious. Independent. Resilient.
Four words that perfectly describe Laykin, 10, a spirited and determined patient at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia.
In February 2024, Laykin’s world changed in an instant. A motor vehicle accident left her with a lower thoracic spinal cord injury, paralyzing her from the waist down. For any child and their family, an injury such as this would feel overwhelming. Would Laykin have believed that by the time summer rolled around she would be walking again using custom-made braces?
If you ask anyone who knows her, the answer is: absolutely.
Custom-made orthotics: A step toward mobility
Laykin first came to Shriners Children’s Philadelphia for spinal cord rehabilitation during the summer of 2024, and from day 1, Laykin’s care team at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia was committed to helping her regain as much independence as possible. Bethany Lipa, M.D., director of physical medicine and rehabilitation, designed a personalized rehabilitation plan that included intensive physical and occupational therapy, along with custom orthotics created by the in-house Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (POPS) team.
Certified orthotist Becky Suddaby, MSPO, (L)CO, worked closely with Laykin and her family to design custom bilateral ankle-foot orthoses and hip-knee-ankle-foot orthoses. These specialized braces provide stability and alignment, allowing Laykin to stand and walk with a walker. To make her braces even more special, Laykin customized her color choices to show off her personal favorite – pink.
Rehabilitation for spinal cord injuries
Laykin continues to work hard with her physical and occupational therapy team to gain strength and independence. Currently, in physical therapy, she is working on essential skills like transferring to and from her wheelchair and getting onto and up from the floor.
Last summer, she completed the Therastride program, a full-body-weight-supported manual treadmill that gives patients with spinal cord injuries more opportunities for movement.
“Laykin has made a lot of progress since coming to Shriners Children’s Philadelphia,” said Ashley, Laykin’s mom. “She went from only being able to stand with her braces to now walking.”
Beyond therapy: Living life to the fullest
Laykin works hard in therapy, but her story isn’t just about rehabilitation – it’s about living life to the fullest. When she’s not at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia for appointments, she enjoys art, cheerleading, Roblox, swimming, bike riding and softball.
For every child who comes through the doors of Shriners Children’s Philadelphia with a spinal cord injury, the goal is the same: to help children live happy, active and independent lives. Laykin is proof that with determination, and the right care team, she can do just that.
