September 17, 2014

Meet Marshall Pullen

Five-year-old Marshall Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy three times a week at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, or AT/RT tumor, in July 2012. After undergoing a resection to remove the tumor, radiation, chemotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant, Pullen is currently cancer free.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Five-year-old Marshall Pullen stretches after being awakened by his mother Stephanie, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, or AT/RT tumor, in July 2012. After undergoing a resection to remove the tumor, radiation, chemotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant, Pullen is currently cancer free. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Brandy Dallas, PT, works with Marshall Pullen, 5, on his leg strengthening sets, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen, 5, snaps the fingers of his physical therapists glove during his session, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen, 5, holds onto his mother, Stephanie's arm as he begins his leg strengthening sets on his right side, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen, 5, holds his mother, Stephanie's hand as he undergoes physical therapy, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen does three repetitions with each of his legs, lifting 25 pounds each time. Pullen was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, or AT/RT tumor, in July 2012. After undergoing a resection to remove the tumor, radiation, chemotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant, Pullen is currently cancer free. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Brandy Dallas, PT, gets a high-five from Marshall Pullen, 5, after completing his leg strengthening sets, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Brandy Dallas, left, and Stephanie Pullen put Marshall Pullen's shoes back on after his leg strengthening sets, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com STephanie Pullen stands by as Brandy Dallas, PT, prepares to move Marshall Pullen, 5, onto his next exercise, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Brandy Dallas, PT, straps Marshall Pullen, 5, into the partial body weight support system, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. The support system is used as a safety measure for Pullen as he learns to walk on his own again. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen, 5, smiles at his physical therapist, Brandy Dallas, as she waits for him to walk to her, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Dallas has worked with Pullen since August of 2012. Pullen was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, or AT/RT tumor, in July 2012. After undergoing a resection to remove the tumor, radiation, chemotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant, Pullen is currently cancer free. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Brandy Dallas, PT, follows Marshall Pullen, 5, as he walks around the room with the partial body weight support system, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. The support system is used as a safety measure for Pullen as he learns to walk on his own again. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Five-year-old Marshall Pullen arrives to his therapy sessions sound asleep, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, or AT/RT tumor, in July 2012. After undergoing a resection to remove the tumor, radiation, chemotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant, Pullen is currently cancer free. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Brandy Dallas, PT, supports Marshall Pullen, 5, as he walks around the room with the partial body weight support system, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. The support system is used as a safety measure for Pullen as he learns to walk on his own again. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Brandy Dallas, PT, holds Marshall Pullen's arms as he walks across the room, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Brandy Dallas, PT, holds Marshall Pullen's arms as he walks towards the playground, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Brandy Dallas, PT, and Marshall Pullen get ready to go down the slide, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Brandy Dallas, PT, and Marshall Pullen, 5, go down the slide, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Brandy Dallas, PT, works with Marshall Pullen, 5, as he walks to the top of the playground, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Stephanie Pullen speaks with Brandy Dallas, PT, as she rests with Marshall Pullen, 5, after walking to the top of the playground for a second time, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen, 5, rests before heading down the slide with Brandy Dallas, PT, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen, 5, gets ready to race his physical therapist, Brandy Dallas, down the slide, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, or AT/RT tumor, in July 2012. After undergoing a resection to remove the tumor, radiation, chemotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant, Pullen is currently cancer free. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen's nurse, Angie Perry, helps him into his chair as they arrive for Pullen's therapy sessions, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, or AT/RT tumor, in July 2012. After undergoing a resection to remove the tumor, radiation, chemotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant, Pullen is currently cancer free. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen, 5, races his physical therapist, Brandy Dallas, down the slide towards his nurse Angie Perry, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen, 5, takes a sip from his cup after his physical therapy session, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen, 5, stars his speech therapy session with Misty Tilmon, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, or AT/RT tumor, in July 2012. After undergoing a resection to remove the tumor, radiation, chemotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant, Pullen is currently cancer free. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Five-year-old Marshall Pullen looks up from the Curious George book he had been reading with his speech therapist, Misty Tilmon, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, or AT/RT tumor, in July 2012. After undergoing a resection to remove the tumor, radiation, chemotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant, Pullen is currently cancer free. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen, 5, works with his speech therapist, Misty Tilmon, on a puzzle, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen, 5, blows on a plastic harmonica during his speech therapy session with Misty Tilmon, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen, 5, looks up at his mother, Stephanie Pullen, during his speech therapy session, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen, 5, waits with his nurse, Angie Perry, and mother, Stephanie, as Misty Tilmon sets up a swing, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Angie Perry, LPN, places Marshall Pullen, 5, on the swing with his speech therapist Misty Tilmon, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen, 5, gives a thumbs-up as he swings with his speech therapist Misty Tilmon, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Derrick Pullen gets a fist bump from his son Marshall, 5, as they wait for his therapy sessions, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, or AT/RT tumor, in July 2012. After undergoing a resection to remove the tumor, radiation, chemotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant, Pullen is currently cancer free. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen, 5, swings with his speech therapist Misty Tilmon, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Angie Perry, LPN, administers fluids to Marshall Pullen, 5, through his feeding tube, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Five-year-old Marshall Pullen pushes the plunger on a syringe to administer his medicine through his feeding tube, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, or AT/RT tumor, in July 2012. After undergoing a resection to remove the tumor, radiation, chemotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant, Pullen is currently cancer free. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Occupational therapist, Britni Carnako, works with Marshall Pullen, 5, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Stephanie Pullen blows bubbles for her son, Marshall Pullen, 5, during his occupational therapy session with Britni Carnako, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen, 5, smiles, as he waits for his physical therapy session with his mother, Setphanie, right, and nurse, Angie Perry, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Occupational therapist, Britni Carnako, works with Marshall Pullen, 5, on drawing shapes in colored foam, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Occupational therapist, Britni Carnako, works with Marshall Pullen, 5, as he colors drawings, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Stephanie Pullen smiles as ccupational therapist, Britni Carnako, works with Pullen's son Marshall, 5, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Occupational therapist, Britni Carnako, works with Marshall Pullen, 5, as he plays with a shooting cow, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Occupational therapist, Britni Carnako, left, and Angie Perry, right, prepare to set Marshall Pullen, 5, back into his chair after his sessions, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Stephanie Pullen watches as her son Marshall Pullen, 5, shows off his works of art, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen, 5, gives his artwork to his mother Stephanie Pullen, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen, 5, yawns after his final therapy session, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen, left, and his mother Stephanie, right, wait for his nurse, Angie Perry, to sanitize his treatment table, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Angie Perry carries Marshall Pullen, 5, over to the treatment table for his physical therapy, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Angie Perry, left, and Stephanie Pullen remove Marshall Pullen's shoes prior to his physical therapy, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com Marshall Pullen's shoes sit at the edge of his treatment table as his mother, Stephanie, left, and physical therapist Brandy, begin his session, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week.

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Five-year-old Marshall Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy three times a week at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, or AT/RT tumor, in July 2012. After undergoing a resection to remove the tumor, radiation, chemotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant, Pullen is currently cancer free.

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