Aug 19, 2009 9:46 pm US/Eastern
In The Community: Helping Kids One Step At A Time
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
A South Florida man, who works with children with special needs to help them move, has come up with something special. After years of helping thousands of families, Peter Bukacheski has developed a walker that keeps children upright while they are walking.
"It changed my whole practice," said Bukacheski, inventor of the Taos Walker. "All of the sudden I could get kids up and walking, it's a huge difference, it's life changing."
Bukacheski said his walker really works because it offers vital support where other walkers fall short.
"These kids are so petite and so frail, and it's because they've never had weight bearing on any parts of their body," Bukacheski.
Not only does it affect a child physically, but mentally as well.
"Kids come in that are healthier, that are happier, their lungs are working, their bowel and bladders too," said Bukacheski. "Their appetite is better, even their speech is better because they are motivated to talk."
Bukacheski said the walkers not only liberate the child, but sometimes the parents as well.
"These parents go to a lot of medical appointments and they are always told what their kids can't do," said Bukacheski. "What we've done is say 'Look, let's just get this kid standing straight today and let them look around and let then start to see their environment'."
Recently Bukacheski got in touch with
CBS4 partners
Neighbors 4 Neighbors in hopes of making a connection; he wanted to donate one of his revolutionary walkers to a family that was in need.
Neighbors 4 Neighbors immediately got in contact with the Tenacio family, and the couple's daughter Lily, who were game to try it out.
"It was something that we felt would be a great addition for Lily, and to our family," Lily's mother Patricia told
N4N's Nicole Maristany.
Bukacheski knew Lily would be a challenge.
"Lily's been held for five years, her head has always been back against something," said Bukacheski.
After being fitted to the walker, Lily was strapped in and took her first steps. The Tenacios were both astounded at how well the walker worked for their daughter and grateful for the gift.
"Today its Lily, tomorrow it could be any of us," said Lilly's father Arturo. "We need to be there for one another as a society."
To help families like Lily's, you can make a donation to the Neighbors 4 Neighbors Family Fund by calling 305-597-4404 or visiting
Lily's website.
CBS4's Nicole Maristany contributed to this report
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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