HEALING&HOPE
Kevin Kennedy, 8, has been living with posterior fossa syndrome since 2010. The condition occurred after a brain tumor was removed, causing the boy who once played soccer to barely be able to move or talk. In the three years since, Kevin has slowly been working to regain his mobility.
Dr. Gregory Friedman, who treated Kevin's brain tumor, said that posterior fossa syndrome caused by the removal of a tumor usually leaves within days or weeks. Severe cases can sometimes last months. “Most children will not have it and those that get it typically will just last a short period of time,” Friedman said. “So his case was unusual and was the most severe case we’ve seen here at UAB.” After three years of work, Kevin is still only able to take a few steps on his own. Friedman said he couldn't eat, move or talk on his own for two months after his surgery.
His parents, Dan and Jennifer, and his brother, Quinn, and older sister, Kylie, spend time every day with him in therapy seasons. Dan said they have spent about $25,000 dollars on physical therapy for their son each year. Dan said it's all worth it, as he has gone from not being able to eat to taking a few steps on his own. “I’ve just been working so hard…and I’m getting better,” Kevin said.
Kevin and his mom, Jennifer, sleep together at the East Alabama Medical Center while Kelvin undergoes treatment for a broken arm Thursday, April 18, 2013. Kevin suffers from Posterior Fossa Syndrome which developed after he had a Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma tumor removed when he was 5 years old in May of 2010. Posterior Fossa Syndrome affects his ability to control his muscles. Although Kevin has slowly regained some control of his muscles, he struggles with balance and uses a walker.
Kylie plays with Kevin while sitting at Chappy's Deli in Auburn, Ala., on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Jennifer Kennedy said the trip to the restaurant was a reward for working so hard at physical therapy.
Shelua Huey, Kevin's aide, helps Kevin into his walker as his jump rope partner, Gabe Neves, second grader, walks away Feb. 4, 2013 at Richland Elementary School.
Karen Lynn, physical therapists, helps Kevin walk across the room Friday, Dec. 21, 2013. David Kennedy said they spend about $25,000 a year on therapy for Kevin.
Kevin Kennedy looks over at other children while sitting by himself during swim practice with AUB Aquatics swim group, Feb. 4, 2013 at the Auburn University Aquatics Center. Kennedy started swimming with the group in August 2012.
Kevin hugs his little brother, Quinn, 2, during physical therapy Monday, Dec. 17, 2013 at HealthPlus in Auburn.
Personal trainers Emily Ansick and Patrick Russell have Kevin work his legs on Monday Dec. 17, 2013 at HealthPlus in Auburn. Kevin has physical therapy five days a week. Three of those days are with trainers Ansick and Russell, the remaining two are with a therapist. The trainers are paid by Kevin's parents who estimated they spend they spend around $25,000 a year on therapy alone.
From right, Jennifer Kennedy helps Kevin, 8, put his foot inside the pedal of his tricycle as his sister, Kylie, 10, rear ends their brother, Quinn, 2, during a family bike ride around their neighborhood on Jan. 5, 2012 in Auburn.
Kevin's parents, David and Jennifer, comfort him while at East Alabama Medical Center as he undergoes treatment for a broken arm on Thursday, April 18, 2013. Kevin broke his arm after falling off the last step of the ladder to the monkey bars. "Kevin won't re-learn things unless we let him do them" Jennifer said. "It's a balancing act allowing him to do things on his own and keeping him safe."
Kylie, 10, helps Kevin with a game after Kevin had tried and failed to complete a level of Mario on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2013 in Auburn.
Kevin walks by himself to swim practice as his dad, David, and mom, Jennifer, stand behind him in case he loses his balance Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at Auburn University.
Kevin looks out onto the field during Miracle Baseball Saturday, May 13, 2013 in Opelika.