Written by Megan Smith, PT
A 7-year-old girl who underwent surgery to reattach her feet after a severe accident was recently able to perform in "The Nutcracker" alongside her twin sister, as seen in a video from Good Morning America.
In Roanoke, Virginia, Aubrey Scaletta suffered the loss of and eventual reattachment of her feet after a ratchet strap she was playing with flew out the window of her father’s truck and wrapped around the truck’s axle. Aubrey persevered through a lengthy 35-day hospitalization, undergoing six surgeries and enduring months of physical rehabilitation to participate in a rendition of the beloved Christmas ballet.
According to mother Lauren Scaletta, Aubrey, a second grader, rehearsed for her ballet performance while in a wheelchair. However, on the night of the show, she was able to gracefully glide across the stage alongside her fellow ballerinas, using the Fox Pediatric Walker by Rebotec the family purchased at Rehabmart.com.
Rehabmart is a small family-owned business founded by occupational therapists who have raised children with special needs. One of the founders, Hulet, and his wife Megan Smith, also have a heartwarming story about their daughter, Sophia, and her love of Rebotec walkers. Their family fell in love with Rebotec after discovering the premier German brand.
Rebotec offers first-class mobility support including products like shower-commode chairs, crutches, shower chairs, rollators, and walkers in adult, bariatric, and pediatric sizes. Rebotec’s German engineering ensures the highest quality, durability, and performance, and their pediatric line of products, including the Fox Pediatric Walker, are designed with children in mind. The colorful designs and sporty aesthetics are a much better fit for children like Sophia than the standard walker and rollator designs, which tend to have a more industrial look.
Sophia was born with Hydrocephalus, Ventricular Megaly, and Cortical Vision Impairment, now classified as Cerebral Palsy, and has been using a walker for most of her life. Through various therapeutic modalities such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, optimal organic nutrition, suit therapy, and an intense sensory stimulation program, Sophia is now an outgoing young woman who can read, write, and walk and is 100% medication-free. You can read more about Sophia’s story here.
In her years-long use of walkers, Sophia often mentioned Rebotec as her favorite brand for their lightweight and colorful designs. The sensitive brakes, ability to add a seat if needed, and height adjustment feature ensured that the Fox could grow with her as she aged. As a now adult, she prefers their walkers over others, to the extent that the Smith family has owned several throughout her lifetime, ensuring that she was never without her favorite walker; much like how children often have a preferred stuffed animal or blanket.
Lauren Scaletta shared with "Good Morning America" that Aubrey and her sister have been participating in "The Nutcracker" for the past three years. Scaletta expressed that Aubrey was fully dedicated to the performance and had no reservations about it. The opportunity to perform with a walker filled her with joy.
Daniel Scaletta, Aubrey's father, expressed deep admiration while watching Aubrey perform alongside her sister, Grayson. He mentioned that she thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and the family is grateful that she was able to return to the stage and continue pursuing her passion for dancing.
Aubrey and Sophia have both overcome major physical challenges with grace, perseverance, strength, the support of their families, and through amazing products like the Fox Walker from Rebotec. We couldn’t be more excited to follow the Scaletta family’s journey and see Aubrey flourish in all she does.
Megan has been a part of Rehabmart since its inception nearly 20 years ago. For the past several years she has been enjoying her role as HR Director while maintaining her Physical Therapy license. When she isn't working on her next in-service or working to find a new team member, she enjoys her five children, helping those who have PT type ailments, baking, practicing yoga, and working out.
