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Pedorthics Program Helps Fulfill Teen’s Wish
By Doreen White
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Adam Dunaway. Photos courtesy of René Bowen. |
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Fourteen-year-old Adam Dunaway has dreams that
come true. He envisions playing football some day--maybe even for
his favorite team, the Auburn University Tigers. If that doesn't
work out, a better fit may be stepping into Coach Tommy
Tuberville's shoes on the sidelines.
Stepping into any pair of shoes with a proper fit had been a
dream of this 6' 4" tall Tiger fan for the past three years. Due to
the onset of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the Brandon, Mississippi,
high-school freshman had settled for shoes that were much too long
in order to fit the width of his feet. Adam hasn't walked for five
years. Presently he uses a wheelchair. However, "this too shall
pass," believes Adam, who hopes to become a preacher.
Adam believes this because, as he sees his smaller hopes
realized, he grows ever more certain of the fulfillment of his
greater, more challenging dreams. That's what motivated Wish
Coordinator Jayme Paus of Kids Wish Network and Oklahoma State
University-Okmulgee Pedorthics Instructor Bill Meanwell, CPed, to
grant a few of Adam's little wishes.
Kids Wish Network is a nonprofit organization, based in Oldsmar,
Florida, that builds relationships with children who have
life-threatening illnesses. The network helps grant wishes and
fulfill dreams of medically qualified children.
"Adam's primary wish was a new pair of shoes and some clothes,"
said Jayme. "He needed shoes that fit properly." Jayme contacted
Terry Abeles, CPed, in Ridgeland, Mississippi. "Mr. Abeles served
as a conduit between local podiatrist Dr. Harold Crowder and
OSU-Okmulgee's Pedorthics Technology Program," Jayme continued.
"Crowder made casts of Adam's feet and wrote a pedorthic
prescription, and OSU-Okmulgee donated materials and craftsmanship
for a custom-made pair of shoes."
OSU-Okmulgee's associate degree-granting program generates
professional technicians qualified to fill pedorthic prescriptions
that ease patient suffering and prevent many foot conditions from
worsening. Pedorthic technicians fit and modify shoes and related
foot appliances as prescribed.
Pedorthics Technology student Melissa Ferguson, Sperry,
Oklahoma, made Adam's shoes as a class project. "This was the most
heartwarming assignment," said Ferguson. "Meeting a special need
for a special child gives me a sense of accomplishment that goes
beyond explanation."
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Melissa Ferguson |
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To round out Adam's wish, he was given a shopping
spree at Wal-Mart in Richland, Mississippi, and two new football
games for his Playstation 2. Jayme learned Adam also wanted to
watch "good" television shows "without having to listen to
cussing." Adam's idea of good programming is watching various
religiously oriented shows, so Jayme arranged for Adam to receive a
lifetime subscription to a religious satellite network, along with
a donated 18" satellite dish, a receiver, and free installation
from Dish Media in Brandon, Mississippi. He also received a
stereo.
Adam's mother, René Bowen, describes him as a man of faith,
full of joy and mischief, as he deals daily with the challenges of
his condition.
For more information about Kids Wish Network, visit www.kidswishnetwork.com For more information
about the OSU-Okmulgee Pedorthics Technology Program, visit www.osu-okmulgee.edu/sbo/pedorthics.shtml. 
Table Of Contents - May 2003
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