Easton Nash, the GREAT

Easton is a four year old boy from Holbrook, New York who sustained a severe spinal cord injury in March 2021 at the age of one. At the time of injury, Easton was paralyzed from the shoulders down, underwent tracheotomy and g-tube surgeries and was vent dependent. In the last few years, Easton’s recovery has been nothing short of a miracle coupled with a lot of hard work and dedication. During his two month inpatient stay at Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, he started to regain movement in his arms and hands. Easton was weened off the ventilator and eating independently by mouth as well by the time he was discharged from Shriners. He was decannulated and had his g-tube removed a few months later. Easton returned home and was immediately enrolled in locomotor training PT therapy five days a week at St. Mary’s Kids in Bayside, NY.

HARD WORK, DEDICATION AND PROGRESS

Locomotor Training PT is an activity based therapy that consists of 60 minutes on the treadmill in a body weight support harness followed by 30 minutes of over ground work. Over the last three years, this therapy has helped improve Easton’s trunk control, standing ability and overall quality of life significantly. It has helped make neurological pathway connections that have enabled him to take a step when he is cued and even on his own when his legs are fully activated. We then translate important weight-bearing activity at home in his standing frame. He continues to grow stronger and stronger and with this he never stops amazing us! Easton has taught himself how to pull his body up on his knees while holding on to a stable surface. He can transition from sitting position to his knees and army crawls to get around the house. We are so fortunate that he continues to progress and this therapy plays a very big, important roll in his recovery.

THE FUTURE AND WHAT WE FUNDRAISE FOR

Easton has a long road ahead and we continue to remain positive and optimistic. Along with Locomotor Training PT, additional therapies are always being researched and sought after for him. Easton has received aquatic therapy, hyperbaric oxygen treatment, stem cell infusions and hippo therapy (horses). He will now be starting Locomotor Training OT at St. Mary’s for an additional 90 minutes to help strengthen the connection between thought process and the execution of his motor skills. With PT and OT, Easton’s day will now consist of three hours of daily LT therapy. Easton is also currently next on the enrollment waitlist for Locomotor Training therapy at UofL in Louisville, KY. The program was founded there and was then brought to and developed upon at St. Mary’s Kids in Queens, NY. One of the DPT/PhD that originally developed the Locomotor Training program is still very much hands on with all pediatric patients that travel to participate. Although we are very lucky to have a wonderful team closer to home, we are beyond excited for Easton to be under the watchful eye of such a pioneer in neurorecovery! Our family will need to be split up and relocate for a few months again, but we feel we have to give Easton this opportunity. We are fully dedicated to giving Easton every chance he can get to help aid in his recovery no matter what it takes. Unfortunately, it is a constant battle to get the same support from our health insurance company.

We are currently exploring additional stem cell treatments as well for Easton.

It is impossible to give Easton every opportunity he deserves on our own and we truly cannot thank all those who have supported us in the past and continue to help fund these necessary therapies and treatments for our boy. Because of your unwavering love and generosity, our son has a fighting chance to get the one wish he uses on ever eyelash and birthday candle, to walk. We will never stop pushing or fighting for our brave, little warrior and THANK YOU for fighting alongside us!

Please follow Easton’s recovery on his Facebook page, Home Runs For Easton.

Family and friends of Easton Clark are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with Catastrophic Injury. Easton has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!