LANSING, MI – The Capital Region Community Foundation has awarded a $8,862 grant to the Sparrow Foundation to help finance an innovative exercise device, worn like a suit, for children with cerebral palsy and other debilitating conditions.

The TheraSuit consists of a cap, vest, shorts, knee pads, and arm and shoe attachments and helps with muscle tone and balance in children undergoing physical therapy or at home. The device, used in hundreds of clinics around the country, supports weak muscles, strengthens other muscles, and promotes development of motor skills.

Sparrow, which promotes innovation and technology to improve Patient care, has purchased one of the suits for use in its Pediatric Rehabilitation Department.

“We are always looking for evidence-based innovative ways to help every child meet their fullest potential. We believe TheraSuit will exceed that need,” said Jennifer Deibel, Sparrow’s Interim Director of Pediatric Rehabilitation.

The grant request was reviewed by a committee of approximately 30 people from Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties, and was approved by the Capital Region Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

The Capital Region Community Foundation was created in 1987 by the community to support the charitable needs and philanthropic interests of people living in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties. The Community Foundation’s three priorities are donor services, grantmaking and strategic projects. The Foundation works with donors to meet their unique charitable goals, then makes grants and leads innovative projects that drive community growth.

For more than 50 years, the Sparrow Foundation has served as the charitable home of Sparrow Health System. Gifts from individuals, organizations, corporations and foundations are invested into programs, facilities, and technology that support the exceptional care provided to every individual, regardless of an ability to pay. Contributions to the Sparrow Foundation are making a difference in the lives of our Patients, their families, and our region each and every day. To discover how you can help, visit SparrowFoundation.org.

Choose Wisely. Choose Sparrow.

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Sparrow, a member of the prestigious Mayo Clinic Care Network, is mid-Michigan’s premier healthcare organization that includes hospitals in Lansing, St. Johns, Ionia and Carson City as well as Physicians Health Plan, Sparrow Physicians Health Network, the Sparrow Medical Group and the Michigan Athletic Club. Sparrow is affiliated with Michigan State University’s three human health colleges. Through these partnerships and the dedication of our 10,000 Caregivers, Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and Patient experience. For more information, visit Sparrow.org.