A ride toward strength and smiles

When Care Manager Diana started working with the Vasquez family, she knew they had many challenges to face. All three children had health issues, but the youngest — 6-year-old Mateo — had the hardest time.

Mateo was born with a rare condition that causes his muscles to be very weak. Walking is painful for him. Often, he becomes so tired that he collapses and cannot stop crying.

Even with these challenges, Mateo’s spirit stayed bright. “He’s a little daredevil,” his mother said with a laugh. That was especially true after WellSense helped the family get an adaptive wheelchair. The wheelchair let Mateo speed down hallways, zoom down ramps and, best of all, keep up with his friends and family. It gave him the freedom to move again.

But there was still a problem. Mateo was not getting enough exercise for his heart. His doctors worried his heart could get weaker. His heart doctor, nerve doctor and physical therapist all agreed that an adaptive tricycle could help. The bike could make his heart stronger, improve his balance and help him learn. But health insurance usually does not pay for bikes like this.

Mateo’s Care Manager Diana did not give up. For a full year, she worked with the family to fight for what Mateo needed. She sent paperwork, collected doctor’s letters and worked with many teams to try again and again. Thanks to her hard work — and the help of many others — they finally got good news.

This week, Mateo got his very own adaptive bike. The smile on his face when he grabbed the handlebars said it all. The bike is more than exercise. It is a new way for Mateo to move, explore and have fun.

With the help of his care team, Mateo is now getting stronger every day. Most of all, he is enjoying being a kid again.

Names and locations have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.