Rakan didn't trust his ability to stand, even with a walker, but gave it a try at the urging of Alison Tate, his physical therapist. Tate worked with Rakan daily, pushing him in his physical therapy sessions. On Thursdays in good weather, the patients at the Spaulding Rehabilitation pediatric center go for outings, as a break from routine therapy. On this early October day, they were apple picking at Brooksby Farm in Peabody.