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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, September 18, 2014 | 30 Couple desperately raising funds to pay for son's therapies continued from p.29 The boy had to undergo three painful spinal taps before doctors ruled out viral meningitis. At four months old, he began to have seizurelike movements and he was diagnosed with infantile spasms. "It was a very stressful time and after numerous medications we got rid of them. There is a possibility he may have seizures later on in life so we always have to watch for them," McMahon said in September 2013. "He has had a rough road in life so far but he is a very strong-willed and motivated little man," she added then. "We want our son to be as independent as possible in life and all of his therapy will help him achieve that. He is such a happy, social little guy and deserves everything we can give him in life. I really can't believe what he has overcome in his short life so far," McMahon said nearly a year ago. Eleven months later, Tyler's parents note their son is making slow progress through a variety of therapies and social interaction. He has used the services of speech language pathologists and physiotherapists along with an occupational therapist, homeopath, osteopath and an integrated manual massage therapist. Tyler can't walk or talk, instead uttering oohs and aahs. He does smile broadly. He needs to be fed, but can chew and swallow on his own. Despite brain damage, Tyler has his vision and hearing. His fine (picking things up, use of lips and tongue) and gross (crawling, running, jumping) motor skills are severely delayed, but that's where all his continuing, intensive and expensive therapies come in. "It's definitely a long way to go, " McMahon said, noting Tyler has made some progress in strengthening his neck and torso via horse riding lessons through The Equestrian Association for the Disabled (TEAD), based in Mount Hope. Tyler has TEAD members hold him on either side while another guides the horse as he rides on it. Tyler has taken to the water as well with regular swimming. "His daddy takes him," said McMahon. "It relaxes (Tyler) and it strengthens him. He kicks his legs like a doggie paddle. If he had (use of) his arms, he'd be gone," she laughed. "He gets excited. He loves it." Swimming supplements the work of therapists at Conductive Education Help 4 U in Mississauga, which Tyler has attended since July 2013. There, Tyler gets help with repetitive movements of his limbs to train his muscles to function properly in the hope the nervous system will generate new neural connections. The boy also started junior kindergarten this month, going three days a week with the help of an educational assistant. A walker has been ordered for him. His father customized a tricycle for Tyler. Knowing that bikes for special needs kids can cost thousands of dollars, Gord spent about 16 hours and $120 to rig a special bike for his son in order to spend limited resources on Tyler's therapies. The next therapy Tyler's parents are committing their son to is selective percutaneous myofascial lengthening (SPML) and alcohol blocks. These surgeries are meant to decrease the spasticity, to reduce muscle rigidity and allow better ease of movement. SPML involves many tiny incisions in muscles to lengthen them. The procedures will be done by Dr. Roy Nuzzo, an orthopedic surgeon in Summit, N.J. The family hopes to take Tyler to the U.S. next spring for the treatments. They say neither of the surgeries are done in Canada and OHIP will not cover them. They estimate the U.S. trip will cost $18,000$20,000. They have several thousand dollars available through previous donations and fundraising such as a November 2013 event that raised $2,000. McMahon says intensive post-surgical therapy for Tyler will cost approximately $5,000. · · · An online fundraising site, www.gofundme. com/ourlittleman, was created by Tyler's parents to raise money for their son's various therapies. A fundraiser is planned for Saturday, Sept. 27: Tyler's Rock N Roll Fundraiser at the Royal Canadian Legion in Burlington, 828 Legion Rd. A buffet dinner is at 6 p.m. with entertainment at 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 in advance or $35 at the door. All proceeds go towards Tyler's therapy. For tickets, call Kelly at 289-208-4228 or email to kellymcmahon@hotmail.com. A trust account is set up for Tyler at Scotiabank. The account number is 872960107220. On Now at The Brick! For more details go instore or online @thebrick.com. @ SEPT.13-OCT.5/14. ON SELECTED MERCHANDISE. And Club Members off save our regular prices on almost anything else not already on sale! 50% & BUY 1, GET 2 FREE! 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