Thanks to the progress nine-year-old April Garcia has made with the assistance of Driscoll’s Rehabilitation Services Department, she has not only increased her strength, but also her self-confidence.

April was diagnosed with Kabuki Syndrome in the Summer of 2020. Kabuki Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder occurring in approximately 1 in 32,000-86,000 births worldwide. Children with Kabuki Syndrome may experience a variety of symptoms, and because of this, April is followed by multiple medical specialists at Driscoll.

One particular symptom of concern in April’s case was her muscle fatigue – she would tire easily and her arms would hurt, causing her anxiety.

Driscoll's Rehabilitation Services Department provides a comprehensive and family-centered approach to help children like April reach their potential.

With the help of Occupational Therapy, April has been able to strengthen her upper extremities allowing her to last longer through activities, which has given her more confidence both physically and mentally.

Jennifer Washington, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant at Driscoll Children’s Hospital said, “April is currently doing occupational therapy to improve fine motor skills and to improve visual deficits. She is a good-natured child and always does her best in therapy.”

This year, April was able to play volleyball and basketball for the first time ever, and more confidently interact with other kids.

Learn more about Driscoll’s Rehabilitation Services Department