The Watermark at Vistawilla sponsors therapy for young boy

Xavier Sanchez is an eight-year-old boy living with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS), a severe form of epilepsy, and low-functioning autism. Over the years, his parents have taken him to countless neurologists looking for ways to reduce his seizures, but very little has helped. That is until they discovered light therapy.

Light therapy has been used for decades to reduce inflammation and stimulate healing. And in more recent years, it’s been studied as a way to reduce and even eliminate seizures by activating brain cells.

“In just two months of therapy, Xavier began speaking, stopped wetting the bed at night and had a significant decrease in seizures,” said Monica Sanchez, Xavier’s mother. Unfortunately, Xavier had to stop this lifechanging treatment due to cost.

That’s when The Watermark at Vistawilla, a local assisted living and memory care community, stepped up to help. Sanchez was working at the community as a physical therapist and would bring her son in to visit residents from time to time.

“We approached her one day and said you know, we have this charity Watermark for Kids. Maybe there’s something that you need that we could help with,” said Patricia Wallace, Executive Director of The Watermark at Vistawilla. “After talking with Monica, we thought the laser was something that would really be impactful for their family.”

Watermark for Kids is a national nonprofit associated with Watermark Retirement Communities, which owns and operates The Watermark at Vistawilla and more than 65 other communities nationwide. The organization is committed to helping kids ages 6 through 22 access life-changing opportunities to be their true self regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation or religious affiliations.

Xavier was named the latest Watermark for Kid and will receive a check for more than $6,000 to purchase a ShedLight laser to use at home.

“Having this laser at home will be lifechanging for him. It will give him the opportunity to benefit from this therapy daily and have a better life,” said Sanchez. “Our hope is that it will allow him to attend school, as well as participate in everyday activities such as going to the park or going for a bike ride with an adaptive bike.”

The community hopes the donation will inspire others to step up and help where they can.

“Approaching Monica that day didn’t take a lot of effort on our part,” said Wallace. “But the result of that conversation has meant so much to her. It means a lot that we could touch someone’s life and have an impact on them.”

About The Watermark at Vistawilla

Located in Winter Springs, Fla., The Watermark at Vistawilla is an 87-apartment assisted living and memory care community located at 1519 E State Rd 434. Differentiators of the community include certified associates, continuous care and hands-on educational programming. Owned and managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, The Watermark at Vistawilla is committed to creating an extraordinary community where people thrive. For more information, visit vistawilla.watermarkcommunities.com.

About Watermark for Kids

Watermark for Kids is a national non-profit organization with a mission to reduce barriers so that all kids can thrive. Awards are based on the ability to make a meaningful impact on the lives of kids ages 6 to 22. Funds are raised through payroll deductions and fundraising projects spearheaded by residents and associates of more than 65 Watermark retirement communities nationwide. In return, Watermark Kids are encouraged to visit the community and share their success stories with residents and associates. To learn more visit www.watermarkforkids.org.