Through a generous and thoughtful donation from a local Caribou elementary school student, pediatric patients undergoing occupational, physical or speech therapy treatment at Cary Medical Center are having some fun activities incorporated into their rehabilitation therapy programs.
Diego Fleury, the 8-year-old son of Cary Medical Center surgeons, Dr. Mariana Mendible and Dr. Andres Fleury, recently decided to donate his Wii system, along with the game library, to the hospital’s pediatric rehabilitation patients.
“I’m giving you my Wii so your children patients don’t get bored while you give them heart checks or something. I hope they have fun with it,” Diego explained in a letter to the hospital.
Whitney Plourde, SLP, pediatric speech pathologist, stated that she has incorporated the use of the games into daily rehabilitation activities and also uses the games as rewards and incentives to help motivate pediatric patients with their therapy plans.
“Rehabilitation is often times really hard work for our pediatric patients,” said Plourde, “and the Wii activity games have added an element of fun to our patients’ therapy regimens.”
Although Diego said that he will miss the games, especially Mario and Sonic Olympic games, which are his favorites, he didn’t use them that much so he is glad that other kids will get more use from them.
“I hope they get better soon — Thank you, Diego,” the young man concluded in his letter.
Compassionate and caring words from a very thoughtful and generous child.
