April is Occupational Therapy Month, a time to recognize the benefits of this specialized health care service. Occupational Therapy, or OT, helps people of all ages who have physical, sensory or cognitive problems live their best life. This includes kids like Hadley, who recently experienced the immeasurable changes occupational therapy can bring.
Hadley was born premature with a heart condition as well as cerebral palsy. After 18 months of in-home therapy, her chiropractor recommended she visit Bon Secours Richmond Hope Therapy Center. This center is the first clinic in Virginia to offer highly effective intensive therapy. Originally inspired by Eastern European methods, intensive therapy has been growing in the U.S. since 2002.
Children receive up to three hours of therapy per day, five days per week for three consecutive weeks in our individualized programs. This gives our patients increased time with our team of professionals. Additionally, all our therapists work together to help children reach their highest potential.
Since her journey with Richmond Hope Therapy Center, Hadley’s mother, Kayleigh, has seen incredible changes in her now spunky 6 year old.
“When we first came to Hope, Hadley was in a very dismal state,” Kayleigh shares. “Now she can drive a power chair, use a walker and feed herself. Her life is better because of Hope Therapy Center.”
Hope Therapy Center provides highly effective intensive pediatric physical therapy. Recently, donor support helped the center purchase the ZeroG Gait and Balance System, a sophisticated body weight support system which protects patients from falls to help children push their boundaries as they practice a wide range of activities. ZeroG is mounted to an overhead track, so there are no barriers between the child and their therapist, creating a more personal approach to rehabilitation therapy.
“There are so many things the therapist can tweak and change during a session, through a mobile device, so we get the most out of her therapy,” Kayleigh adds. “We see the results at home because she is stronger and has more stamina.”
Kayleigh continues, “hope has been here to help us raise Hadley. There is no doubt in my mind that she would not be where she is today if we didn’t have the guidance and support of Hope’s team. Everyone there is part of our family.”
We are so grateful for all the occupational therapists at Hope Therapy Center and the amazing work they do everyday to make a difference for patients like Hadley.
Learn about all the therapy and rehabilitation services we offer at Bon Secours.
