One family goes on a round-trip journey at least once a week that's more than 490 miles.

KeIsey Busch, 16, of Crosby travels with her family for a treatment offered in Bismarck.

"We come to Bismarck because it's the closest place that has what she needs," said Jessica Busch, Kelsey's mother.

At 9 months old, Kelsey was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Since then, she and her family have been doing everything that they can to make life better for her.

Kelsey's case is mild. She has right hemiparesis, which means the right side of her body is weaker than the left. Kelsey started therapy once she was diagnosed and had it as part of her school day at Crosby.

Last November, Kelsey had a surgery that lengthened muscles in her right leg. After this, she was a candidate for Bioness.

Bioness is equipment that uses electric pulses to help people have more movement in their legs and arms. The device Kelsey uses is for her leg. It has three main parts: a knee cuff, a sensor that goes in the shoe and a remote that gauges the intensity of the shock. This helps by minimizing the foot drop when she walks.

"Teachers said how much better I walked," Kelsey said.

In March, Kelsey and her family came to Medcenter One once or twice a week to use their Bioness and receive therapy. At the start of June, the family rented their own equipment for a one-month trial period so she could use it at home.

At first, Kelsey could only wear it for about an hour a day. She has now worked up to wearing it nine to 10 hours a day.

"I don't even notice it anymore," Kelsey said. "When it began, it kinda felt like pins and needles."

The one-month trial will be over soon and the family plans to buy the equipment. Insurance does not cover it, but the Great American Bike Race helped provide funds to cover the cost.

Kelsey will continue to do therapy at a hospital, as well as starting a home therapy program.

"They are a very committed, very dedicated family," said Jackie Marachek, one of the therapists who works with Kelsey.

Kelsey's therapy at Medcenter consists of initial stretching. Then, she either works on a treadmill or has long walks with a therapist. The therapists also have a gauge that is more powerful than Kelsey's.

During an appointment on Tuesday, Andrew Propst, an official from Bioness in Minneapolis, came to make sure the equipment was functioning correctly and to answer questions.

Propst gave Kelsey stretching tips and moved the sensor in her shoe more to the middle instead of in the heel. He watched her walk and use the equipment.

"Everything I see is fine here; she's right on track," Propst said.

Kelsey wants to go on hikes one day, according to her mother Jessica Busch. The hope is that one day Kelsey will be able to walk well without the Bioness.

For now, Kelsey walks much better than she did before the surgery.

"I read a lot, or sometimes I go outside on the trampoline," she said. Kelsey also was a cheerleader for her school.

"It's hard being a kid, and it's harder for her," said her mother.

Kelsey is able to take care of the Bioness on her own. It requires testing and checking the equipment. It has helped both the look of her walk and not being as physically tired, added Jessica Busch.

When asked how it's going while walking with the Bioness on, Kelsey smiles and says, "Good."

(Reporter Jordan Kalk is a senior at Century High School. She can be reached at jordan.kalk@bismarcktribune.com.)