 Testimonials
Christopher Vines
Christopher becomes so independent when in his Hart Walker, he always has a deep look
of determination on his face. Although Christopher has mediocre trunk control when upright, the Hart Walker is assisting him greatly in training those trunk muscles. I can't wait until the
day that Christopher graduates to 2 wheels!
Michelle, Mother of Christopher |
Daniel
Daniel's diagnosis is Polymicrogyria (PMG) which is a rare brain malformation. The gyri in his brain, 80% of them are deformed., "many small gyria" you can't even see on an MRI...it is a very unfortunate thing caused by a viral attack in utero at the beginning of neuro development. The progress Daniel has made in the Hart Walker is remarkable. He loves the independence and his face lights up when he moves across the floor...on his own. It is amazing, the best thing we could ever do for him. I hold testimony that the Hart Walker is the most effective and life improving piece of equipment for Daniel.
Julie, Mother of Daniel |
Frank
 Frank LOVES to go to the kitchen gadget drawer, reach in and get out what HE wants. Frank also loves the computer, his Therapists find it is a great way to motivate him to move. When Frank was standing in the walker for the firs time ON HIS OWN, you could see how proud and happy he was of himself."
"John and Chris, I thank you from the tips of my toes to the split ends of my hair! It's nice to know there are people out there willing to go up to bat for "our" angels. It is obvious you are doing what you do because there is a genuine love - not the almighty dollar that comes 1st!
Lisa, Mother of Frank |
Jimmy
Jimmy was born with multiple disabilities, and yet, they don't stand in the way of Jimmy being able to walk...we just had to find the appropriate eauipment to help him facilitate walking! I know that even when I came across your inspirational website, I was still skeptical of whether or not the walker could work for Jimmy because of all the unique challenges he has beyond Cerebral Palsy. Even with a seizure disorder, Jimmy is safe in the Hart Walker, in fact, safer than without it, because he is held up in proper alignment in this walker! Also, Jimmy scissors his legs so badly that the Hart Walker is the ONLY walker that could ever work for him - it immediately corrects the scissoring, which is so common in kids with
Spastic Quadriplegia! What's amazing is that we were told Jimmy would NEVER walk...look at him now! This walker shows us that instead of looking at kids like Jimmy as "disabled", they are truly just "differently-abled"!
Sue Ellen, Mother of Jimmy
Please visit Jimmy's special website that tells of his and his families amazing journey. This website is very informative regarding Jimmy's many diagnosis': Hydrocephalus, Microcephaly, Colpocephaly, Agenesis of the Corpus Collasum, Chorioretinitis, Macular Colobomas, Cerebral Palsy, Lennox Gastaut Seizure Disorder all secondary to Lymphocytic Choriomenengitis (LCMV), an asymmetric aortic valve and nerve deafness in one ear. |
Andrew
After years of struggle with more traditional walkers, our son, Andrew is now actaully requesting time in his MKII Hart Walker. The other day, he chose walking over an after school snack! Wow! Can I say more? He is using it in P.E. class and after school everyday and gaining confidence and skill every time. Most importantly, he loves walking! Never say Never!
Kris (mother of Andrew) |
Jacki Mercede
"The first time I saw Jacki in the MKII Hart Walker it brought tears to my eyes. For the first time I saw my daughter walking side by side with her twin sister, Nicola. I didn't even see that she was in a piece of equipment! Her arms were free to hold hands, her legs were not crossing, and she had a smile from ear to ear! With her trunk support hidden under her sweater, I just saw Jacki walking down the hallway at school looking so proud as shw passed her classmates. It was that moment that I said "I have to buy this walker." At home we take walks in our driveway and on a good day, Jacki has made up to 20 continuous steps. Not bad for a child who spends the majority of her day confined to a wheelchair! Thank you Great Strides for opening up a new door for Jacki and giving her the opportunity to walk through it side by side with her twin sister!
Lori Mercede, mother of Jacki Mercede |
Joey Toce
“The MK II Hart Walker has put mobility in Joey's future. He has seen  many benefits from it already. Increased self-esteem, improved interaction with his peers, a decrease in tightness in his legs, and more weight bearing. The smile on Joey's face when he's in it is priceless. We can't thank you enough for providing this walker to kids like Joey!”
Katrina Toce, mother of Joey Toce |
 Jared Connolly
“Hi! One of my best moments with Jared in his [Hart] Walker was when for the first time I was able to stand on the other side of the room and he walked over to me by himself. The pride and feeling of accomplishment was written all over his face. The walker has given him such a sense of independence it is overwhelming for me. Another  great thing that Jared likes to do in his walker is play pool. Before the walker, we would lay him on the pool table and he would push the balls in with the stick, now he can stand at the table and play like everyone else.
Thank you so much for all that you have done for Jared and our family.
With much love,
Dawn Connolly”.
Dawn Connolly, mother of Jared Connolly. |
Joel Schutz
“The Hart Walker has opened up vistas of opportunity for Joel to walk that no other piece of therapeutic equipment could. He loves to be upright, to walk, and to look at his peers eye-to-eye. Little by little, he is learning to walk. Since using the Hart Walker, Joel’s trunk strength has improved significantly. There are so many benefits- we recommend the Hart Walker to every child who could possible use it!”
Jeffrey J. Schutz, father of Joel Schutz |
Alexander Baird
“Alexander stared using the Hart Walker a few months after his 2nd birthday. It immediately enabled him to walk around the house, without the assistance of anyone. It has encouraged him to move independently and to explore his environment. He now can take part in games of tag and hide & seek with his sister and friends and can walk the dog  on family walks. It enables him to stand at a table to play or to use the computer. It enables him to exercise when someone is not able to be right there with him to help him.
It helps reduce excess muscle tone in his legs and improves his flexibility and is helping him get stronger.”
Lisa Baird, mother of Alexander Baird
|
Bryan Conway
“We never thought we would see our son walk independently. After trying other walkers and not having any success we were told about the Hart Walker. By the third time we put Bryan in he was taking steps. Now six months later, Bryan's successes are immeasurable. The list of what Bryan can do in the Hart Walker is endless, but here are just a few. Bryan goes food shopping and to Home Depot. He loves to go bowling and play baseball. He also helps Dad around the yard and enjoys playing board games while standing at the table. Bryan even went to The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk Ct. Bryan's smile shows just how full of himself he is when he is in The Hart Walker and as parents we are so proud.
Thank You John and Chris, for giving us such an awesome gift! Sincerely, Heather, Alan, and Bryan Conway"
Heather Conway, mother of Bryan Conway
|
|
 Sean Stenglein
Sean loves the freedom to walk wherever he wants...
 Chris Vines
I can't wait until the day that Christopher graduates to...
 Daniel
The progress Daniel has made in the Hart Walker is remarkable....
 Frank
It's nice to know there are people out there willing to...
 Jimmy
Even with a seizure disorder, Jimmy is safe in the Hart Walker, in fact...
 Andrew
After years of struggle with more traditional walkers...
 Jacki Mercede
The first time I saw Jacki in the MKII Hart Walker it brought...
 Joey Toce
The MK II Hart Walker has put mobility in...
 Evan Sussman
The Hart Walker has enabled my son...
 Jared Connolly
Hi! One of my best moments with Jared...
Joel Schultz
The Hart Walker has opened up vistas of opportunity...
 Alexander Baird
Alexander stared using the Hart Walker a few months after his 2 nd birthday. It immediately enabled him to...
 Bryan Conway
We never thought we would see our son walk independently. After trying other walkers...
|
even beyond.
Sean uses the MkII Hart Walker daily at school to participate with his peers and the benefits have been endless.
We are now working on improving his balance by using the two-wheeled base on a 
regular basis. Sean is very proud of himself and so are we - his family. The MkII Hart Walker has become a vital part of our families functioning ability - We Love It!
my assistance. It is a “step” in the right direction towards Evan’s independence and overall well being.” 
