With hard work and a little help from his friends, first-grader Parker has been learning to walk more independently.

Parker was born with cerebral palsy and, most of the time, he uses a wheelchair. For his first few years of life, he received injections of botulinum type- A toxin, also known as Botox, which helped relax his muscles. When Parker got older, his doctor referred him to Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare for a surgery, called a rhizotomy, in which spinal nerves are cut to relieve muscle tightness. He's been treated at Gillette ever since.

"Visiting) Gillette was the first time doctors said to us that we had options," says Parker's mother, Angel. "The rhizotomy helped relax the muscles in his legs. He was able to sit criss-cross and to sit up better. He started walking with his walker better. He became so much more independent."

Since the rhizotomy, Parker has undergone other surgeries and lots of rehabilitative therapy. These days, signs of progress appear regularly. In September 2005, Parker started putting on his pajamas by himself. He can walk short distances with a walker and read fourth-grade-level books. This past October, he underwent his second hip surgery. And he is now working on walking with hand crutches. He also has plans to join a karate class.

"He's the funniest kid you'll ever meet," says Angel. "Everyone gets along with him. He does whatever he can, and tries things, even when he can't."

A constant companion on his road to progress has been one of Parker's best friends -- his grandmother, Lucinda . Because Angel battles lupus, which causes osteoporosis, compression fractures in her spine, and other health issues, Lucinda's presence has been a key to Parker's growth and development. "My mother is always there," says Angel. "I could not do it without her. She helps him get off to school, she's there when he gets off the bus. I very rarely have to do things for him alone, like doctor appointments (where we're) lifting him and the wheelchair. My mother is always there. A lot of times mom is taking care of both of us, she's a miracle."

The entire family has been raising money for the KS95 for Kids Radiothon by hosting summer garage sales and helping with Change for Kids.  For Angel, fundraising for KS95 for Kids is a way to contribute to the community of people at Gillette who have provided her family with hope. "Gillette, that's my home away from home," says Angel. "It's its own little town inside this big city, where everyone knows you. I know when we go there, we're going to walk out with information and with something to look forward to."

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