Levi
When Cynthia and Rudy Moreno welcomed their son Levi into the world, they had no idea just how much they’d learn or how much their journey would inspire others.
Levi, who recently turned five, was born early. Like many first-time parents, Cynthia and Rudy were navigating milestones and new experiences, unsure of what to expect. “At first, we weren’t too worried,” Cynthia recalls. “But eventually, we realized Levi wasn’t crawling or sitting like he should.”
A developmental specialist introduced them to Southwest Human Development and that conversation changed everything.
“We didn’t even know what adaptive equipment was,” Cynthia says. “But once we connected, it opened a door.”
That door led to a custom activity chair for Levi, giving him the trunk support he needed to sit upright and safely interact with the world around him. From there, the family discovered the power of the Adapt Shop’s loaner program, borrowing equipment like standers, trikes, and feeding chairs to see what worked best for Levi before pursuing insurance.
The support didn’t stop at equipment. Levi’s needs were complex. Low muscle tone in his core, high tone in his legs. So, the team got creative. When one safety strap didn’t work, they designed a vest. When Levi needed a way to sit and play without knocking everything off his tray, they added folded edges to keep books and toys in place. “This wasn’t just a chair,” Cynthia says. “It was made for him.”
And this all happened during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Everything was closed, no one was seeing people in person, but Southwest Human Development was there,” she adds. “They helped us feel less stuck during such a hard time.”
Since then, the Rodriguez family has learned how to advocate for Levi, navigating insurance processes, equipment options, and even using what they’ve learned to support their younger son. “Beth (our occupational therapist at Adapt) has shared so many tips, even things we’ve used with our other son,” says Cynthia.
Now, as Levi prepares for school, the family is stepping into a new role as ambassadors for Southwest Human Development. “At the beginning, we didn’t know what was possible. Now we get to share what we’ve learned with other families,” Cynthia says. “It’s come full circle.”
Rudy adds, “We’re incredibly thankful. The team doesn’t just hand out equipment, they ask what your child needs, and then they make it happen. That makes all the difference.”