Josh’s SmartVest Story
Josh was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) at birth, and, near age two, was prescribed a SmartVest Airway Clearance System. “We saw it at a CF education day,” said Josh’s father, Keith. Josh’s parents carefully compared two high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) devices and determined with the single hose and easy-to-wear garment, SmartVest was the best choice for them. “We took one look at SmartVest and thought, that’s the one.”
“I tell other CF parents to get SmartVest because we believe in it so much.”
Josh’s parents also found Electromed, Inc. very good to work with, and shares that with other parents. “SmartVest was great with helping with reimbursement, and they [are] really great helping the parents get the machine they need for their children,” he said. “I tell other CF parents to get SmartVest because we believe in it so much.”
Josh’s family is a very active one, and his parents ensure that his treatment is incorporated regardless of what they’re doing. “We’ve taken it [SmartVest] to Mexico, Canada, and Jamaica. Josh even plays Wii [sports] while wearing it,” says Keith. And, according to his father, he bowls better when he’s getting his treatment! Josh also takes shots on goal, because they have a small hockey net in their living room for him to play with.
“Josh even plays Wii [sports] while wearing it”
With the single-hose design, the SmartVest allows Josh to be quite active during his treatment, which makes it easier to adhere to. “He knows that some people have different things that they have to do on a daily basis to make them feel better,” Keith said.
Josh uses albuterol in addition to his SmartVest therapy. “He doesn’t cough and bark like most CF patients do. It does make him feel better. It keeps him very active, and his lungs clear. We’re going on six years now and there’s no scarring or any mucus in his lungs. So the treatments are definitely working.”
