In Support of Rowan Cucuzella
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Meet Rowan \U0001F499
Rowan
is eight months old — sweet, curious, and impossibly cute. He has the kind of smile
that stops you in your tracks. From the very beginning, he has been a fighter, working
hard to regain what was lost just after birth.
Rowan’s
story
Rowan was born on 4/22/25 under the stress
of a difficult labor. Almost immediately, he began experiencing seizures and at
just 24 hours old was transferred to Saint Peter's University Hospital, the regions
Level IV NICU. There, doctors discovered that Rowan had suffered
a significant stroke.
Today, at eight months
old, Rowan is making progress through early intervention and outpatient physical
and occupational therapy. Rowan is also being followed by
Boston Children's Stroke Program - the # 1 pediatric stroke clinic in the country.
There is nothing that stands in the way of Rowan's recovery. We're determined that
through therapy, Rowan will grow up and no one will ever know he has overcome such
hurdles in his life.
While we have a long road ahead of us, each small gain is the result of determination, support, and a whole lot of heart — but his care team agrees that now is the time to add more intensive therapies to support his continued growth and lessen the affects of his stroke.
While we have a long road ahead of us, each small gain is the result of determination, support, and a whole lot of heart — but his care team agrees that now is the time to add more intensive therapies to support his continued growth and lessen the affects of his stroke.
Why
intensive therapy matters
- Rowan’s providers
recommend therapy intensives and constraint therapy alongside his
current services
- Intensives provide concentrated, hands-on therapy
during a critical window of brain development
- These focused sessions help strengthen new pathways through repetition, movement, and engagement
- Engaging
in intensive therapies before the age of 5 allows for the brain to rewire damaged
pathways, which is essential to Rowan's progress
What
is Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI)?
- A neuroplasticity-based
therapy that promotes active, purposeful movement
- Focuses on strength,
alignment, and postural control
- Encourages the brain to create new
connections through movement and problem-solving
- Especially impactful for infants and young children with neurological injuries
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) works by:
-
Restricting
the stronger or unaffected limb (for example, Rowan's left arm would be
casted)
-
Forcing use of the weaker limb during structured,
repetitive activities
The goal is to retrain the brain and
body to use the affected limb more effectively.
DMI & CIMT isn’t about rushing Rowan or measuring him against milestones. It’s about giving him access to movement, exploration, and opportunity — the same chance every child deserves.
DMI & CIMT isn’t about rushing Rowan or measuring him against milestones. It’s about giving him access to movement, exploration, and opportunity — the same chance every child deserves.
The financial reality
- CIMT & DMI intensives are
not covered by insurance
- Each round of DMI therapy could range from $5,000–$7,000
- CIMT therapy ranges from $6,000-10,000 per intensive session
- Costs
include therapy, travel, lodging, and transportation
- Rowan is working toward two rounds of DMI therapy per year, each consisting of 2 weeks of daily therapy + a round of CIMT therapy.
How you can help
- Help Rowan access critical intensive
therapies
- Follow along and support his continued recovery and development
- Give him the opportunity to move, explore, and grow in his own time
Every share, prayer, and donation means more than words can express. Thank you for standing with Rowan and his family as he continues to fight forward \U0001F90D
Updates
Keep up to date as needs change.
Feb 02, 2026
Just Checking In
Hi Everyone,Not too many updates to share this week. We had our usu...
Jan 20, 2026
Busy day!
Yesterday, Rowan met with Intensive Therapeutics to see how the pro...
Jan 10, 2026
therapy, therapy & more therapy
We wanted to share what therapy looks like at home for us! Rowan’s ...
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- Created Dec 31, 2025
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