Confessions of a ThermoSpas Employee

Last month ThermoSpas was pleased to present Cody H. with a brand new Triton Elite!  Cody is 16 years old and was born with Beckwith-Wiedemann Sydrome, an extremely rare (1 in 14,000) birth disorder and kidney disease.  When Cody first tried a hot tub, he was hooked immediately.  The water soothed his stiff muscles and joints and allowed him to move about with less pain.  Unfortunately, he cannot stay at a hotel forever and a therapeutic hot tub is not covered by his insurance.  But today, thanks to ThermoSpas, Cody will be able to experience the benefits of warm water therapy every day right in his own backyard.

Cody suffers from Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome, an overgrowth disorder.  He was born premature (3.5 weeks early), but weighed 11 lbs.  Not only was he large in size, but he also had a condition in which his tongue was enlarged.  He was also hypoglycemic.

At 10 months, Cody had 95% of his pancreas removed (which were enlarged to the size of a 9-year-old).  At age 6, he was diagnosed with kidney disease.  As he grew, it also became apparent that Cody had “hemihypertrophy,” one side of his body was much larger than the other.  This causes extreme pain in his muscles and joints because of his body’s imbalance.

Through all of these difficult diagnoses, his intrepid parents never gave up.  Their incredible efforts helped not only sustain his life, but also transform him into the handsome and successful teenager he is today. 

Still, pain is a constant for Cody and his inability to participate in “teen stuff” like pick-up basketball games and roughhousing with his brothers can be even more heartbreaking.  “Cody would love a hot tub for his pain and for physical therapy, but it would also be a wonderful and safe social place for him and his friends to hang out,” said his mother.

A hot tub provides Cody with proven therapy:

• Muscle relaxation, which can reduce muscle spasms
• Decreased gravity, which increases breath control
• Improved trunk control, balance and coordination
• Increased mobility and range of motion
• Increased strength and endurance

Through its Seasons of Giving program, ThermoSpas has donated a Triton Elite hot tub, which has 46 therapeutic jets and the “Ease of Use” commendation from the Arthritis Foundation.  ThermoSpas donates one hot tub each month to children with serious illnesses.  To learn more or to nominate a child, please visit http://www.thermospas.com/hot-tubs/seasonofgiving.html.