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t m c » p u l s e | j u n e 2 0 1 9 19 t m c » p u l s e | j u n e 2 0 1 9 trunk motion, neck motion and upper extremity motion. There are a lot of problems with that because they are not repeatable like gait cycles, where you go through certain events such as stance and swing," said Barnes, who performed Madilyn's latest surgery. We are also interested in capturing spine motion—especially in some of the neuromuscular disorders." This expertise earned Shriners Houston national recognition by the Commission for Motion Laboratory Accreditation. The MAC is one of 14 gait laboratories accredited in the country and the first in Texas to receive the distinction. Improvement and a love of slime "She was walking on her toes," Madilyn's mother, Latonia Jenkins, explained. "I ended up going to Shriners in Shreveport. I didn't know they had a Shriners here in Houston and I'm from Shreveport. I went home to get her some help. … I was going back and forth." Madilyn was born premature in 2009. She weighed 1 pound, 6 ounces and had bleeding on her brain. At different intervals throughout her life, she's had surgery and therapy to loosen up her left side, where her leg remains stiff and her arm hangs at an angle. Madilyn had casts on both legs during treat- ment in Louisiana and was referred to Shriners Houston three years ago. A previous gait analysis prepared Madilyn for surgery in 2018 on her left arm and legs. During a three-hour, post-operative exam in May, she showed more control on the walkway with her leg braces and wasn't standing up so far on her toes. "She's a lot better compared to what she was," Latonia Jenkins said. Madilyn's testing included marching and twirling, easy for someone who loves to dance while she sings. On an exam table, physical therapist Melissa Howard took measurements and manipulated Madilyn's limbs. A discussion about her favorite things teased out Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj and play- ing with slime. At one point, Howard asked Madilyn to hold her muscles tight. "I'm looking at how strong she is," the physical therapist explained. "Can she move one leg with- out the other? Can she move just her knee joint or do all her joints move?" Howard also wanted to know what Madilyn thought would improve her gait. "I would like these muscles to go down," Madilyn said, pointing to the tightness in the back of her legs. "Yep, the hamstrings," Howard said. Latonia Jenkins chimed in. "The knee. That's my concern," she said. "After we stretch out that hamstring, I think she'll be OK. The arm is a lot better. It's still a little stiff, but it's a lot better." The prize for finishing a gait analysis is a trip to the reward closet. Skipping over the dolls, makeup, puzzles and a purse, Madilyn chose the slime kit. Of course. Madilyn Jenkins makes her way across force plates that capture data during a post-operative gait analysis exam at Shriners Hospitals for Children - Houston. This is basically a computer lab. We use computers to quantify motion and movement. — ANNABELLE RELF, D.P.T Physical therapist at Shriners Hospitals for Children - Houston