Donated spa helps boy walk for first time
Donated spa helps boy walk for first time

By SHANNON CAULFIELD

The Tabernacle Sun

Most children stand and begin walking at an early age. David Mauchly wasn’t able to take his first steps until the age of 12.

David was born with Osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bones disease.

According to the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, OI is a genetic disorder characterized by fragile bones that break easily. A person is born with this disorder and is affected throughout his or her lifetime.

In addition to fractures, people with OI often have muscle weakness, hearing loss, fatigue, joint laxity, curved bones, scoliosis, blue sclerae, brittle teeth and a short stature.

OI is caused by an error called a mutation on a gene that affects the body’s production of the collagen found in bones and other tissues. It is not caused by too little calcium or poor nutrition.

A person with mild OI may experience a few fractures while those with the severe forms may have hundreds in a lifetime.

The treatment of OI varies from patient to patient. Treatments include physical therapy and safe exercise, including swimming, casts, splints or wraps for broken bones, braces to support legs, ankles, knees andwrists as needed, orthopedic surgery, often including implanting rods to support the long bones in arms or legs, medications to strengthen bones, mobility aids such as canes, walkers, or wheelchairs and other equipment or aids for independence may be needed to compensate for weakness or short stature.

“From birth, David has had 52 fractures, typically they were in one of his femurs or both at the same time,” said Tracee Mauchly, David’s mother. “I personally didn’t do well for the first two years. Watching my baby break, and then in so much pain. It has been heartbreaking to say the least.”

David is the youngest of six kids. He celebrated his 12th birthday in November.

Recently, David underwent surgery at NeMours DuPont Hospital in Delaware to straighten his bowed legs.

David’s road to recovery and rehabilitation inspired his parents Tracee and Tom to purchase a spa.

After realizing the project wasn’t financially feasible, they were heartbroken.

The Mauchlys went to Pool Designs in Boardentown Township, owned by Michael Burke and his wife Gail.

When the Burkes learned of the project, they were determined to get a discount from Viking Pools. Viking agreed to donate the entire spa to the family.

“The [Mauchlys] came to the store to buy the spa for David, and we thought it was a really good thing to be able to donate,” said Burke. “I contacted all of my people, the electrician, vinyl covers and masonry. I got everyone together, and I put this package together for them.”

The project cost $30,000 for a new patio and 12 by eight foot-wide spa that is able to be open year-round.

“It’s really heartwarming to us,” said Gail.

David was able to take control of the project. He picked out the style of the spa from the tiles to the color of the stones.

“Michael and Gail are really nice,” said David. “It was fun working with them. It was fun picking out the colors and everything.”

The Mauchlys’ new backyard was completely donated by 12 companies around New Jersey, including the EP Henry, Norman Ray Fisher Electric Co. Inc., Viking Pools and Township of Tabernacle, which waived all of the permit fees for the project.

“It was a no brainer,” said EP Henry general manager Tom Zebrowski. “I told them to bring David in and choose whatever he wanted. He already knew what he wanted, so it was easy.”

For Zebrowski, the project was personal.

“My wife’s brother also had OI. He only made it to two weeks old, and that was 50 years ago. I didn’t know he had died of it until the night I had gotten the project,” said Zebrowski. “It was a great thing to be able to do for David.”

Prior to the spa, David wasn’t able to use much of his strength. With the pool, he is able to exercise and build muscle.

“Since we’ve gotten the spa, there are small little things,” said Tracee. “He’s getting out of bed on his own and he’s coming downstairs on his own.”

“I can exercise in it, I can walk and stand,” said David. “It’s a blessing to have.”

David’s time in the spa doesn’t stop at exercise.

“I do everything that you could do in a spa. I play in it and swim in it, too,” said David. “I can’t wait to use it when it snows.”

“The spa allows him so much freedom of movement, escaping gravity and rehabilitation. There is hope again for David becoming more mobile and independent,” said Tracee. “He seems so much brighter these days. The donation of this spa and all that’s been given has touched his heart deeply. He will not, nor any of his family, ever forget this amazing compassion and generosity.”

The gift of the spa has truly changed life for David and the Mauchlys.

“It’s just stunning that he can be in water and stand,” said Tracee. “It’s the only time in his life he can stand.”
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