BIXBY, Okla. – A Bixby family has new hope for their three- year-old son with cerebral palsy. Easton Wallace went to Panama last year to receive stem cell therapy. Unfortunately, the therapy is not FDA-approved in the United States.
The Wallace family held everything from spaghetti dinners to golf tournaments to raise the money for their son’s first treatment. His mother believes it was worth it. She says Easton is learning to talk and gain upper body strength. That is why she is hoping to raise enough money for a second treatment.
“He’s the happiest little boy ever. He can make anyone smile. He’s always smiling,” says Cassie Wallace.
Easton Wallace is a typical toddler. He loves playing outdoors and spending time with family. But unlike most other kids, Easton is living with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, which affects every aspect of his life.
“He can’t sit unattended. He can stand up. He can’t crawl or walk or anything like that,” says Cassie. “He has trouble with his fine motor skills, eating.”
It’s hard for Cassie to watch her son struggle. But she says Easton’s infectious smile and loving personality give her strength.
She told 2 Works for You, “I try to be positive. We are just trying to everything we can for him to give him the best life possible. He has such a positive attitude. He’s so happy and determined. So I think that makes it easier.”
Cassie says a big part of giving Easton the best life possible, is taking him to Panama to receive Stem Cell therapy. She says the $20,000 treatment is not covered by insurance.
Easton’s first treatment was last December. Cassie say it’s working
“He’s repeating everything. He’s putting more words together. It’s really been helping.”
Cassie showed 2 Works for You video of Easton pushing himself in a device called a “pacer” for the very first time. She says this was a big day for their family because they never know for sure what milestones their child will get to experience. That’s why she and her family are trying to raise enough money to cover the expenses for another trip to Panama in December of this year.
The family is organizing another golf tournament in Sapulpa on August 29 at Clary Fields Golf Club. The event is called the “Easton Open.” There is still time to sign up by calling 918-248-4080.
You can also donate directly to the cause by logging on to Easton’s give forward page here.
