This training program is for Bob, a male eleven year-old student with cerebral palsy. This requires him to use a wheelchair most of the time although he is able to stand and walk for short distances of approximately 30 feet when there is something to hang on to for stability. With more muscular training, that distance could be increased greatly as the only reason he cannot continue is fatigue and therefore the risk of falling or other injury. It should be noted that an assistant will be needed for this program. Bob also has limited extension at the knees and limited dorsiflexion at the ankle. He is underweight for his height as he is 4'11" and only 77 lbs. but this could be due to the lack of muscular development in the legs and thighs.
             Lord Roberts/Ellen Douglass School in the Winnipeg School Division has a program running where students with disabilities take a bus to the BoniVital Archibald Swimming Pool every Wednesday afternoon. This is a perfect location for the training sessions as it provides a fun environment to exercise in, he can walk with less than normal body weight and Bob is able to swim. The pool is 25 feet wide and 60 feet long with an increasing depth from 2'6" to 4"; it is the smaller of the two pools at the complex. The only disadvantage to this is that the school only goes once a week and the children only get a half-hour per group of kids to be able to swim. This doesn't leave a lot of time for a full training program, therefore exercises are also needed for home and more in-pool training is required during a public swimming time.
             Through his training, Bob should gain in the areas of balance, flexibility, and muscular strength and endurance in the lower limbs. All of these contribute to one personal goal for Bob: independence. With a better ability to take on all of the days tasks, Bob would be able to live his life with a lot less aid from others. He could leave his chair if there were an obs...