When
Millie began coming to TherapyWorks at 3 years old, her
triglyceride levels resembled those of a middle-aged man. Those
blood levels, high blood pressure, obesity and a heart murmur
created a dangerous health situation. In addition to the health
issues, Millie was suffering from abdominal pain, gagging and
choking, vomiting and diarrhea. Millie was referred to
TherapyWorks for medical nutrition therapy.
During her evaluation, dietitian
Andrea Shotton, MS, RD, LD, suspected lactose intolerance and a
diet high in simple sugars was mainly to blame for Millie’s poor
health and discomfort. During her weekly therapy sessions,
Shotton measures and weighs Millie and records her calorie and
food intake from the week. Shotton also teaches Millie and her
family how to make good food choices.
She now drinks lactose-free milk
and has learned how to balance meal plans with whole grains and
vegetables. Her daily diet includes omega-3 fatty acids, like
flaxseed, to aid in lowering triglycerides. Millie helps choose
her menu for the week using color coded buttons to represent the
food groups. Along with improving her diet, she works hard at
keeping herself actively busy rather than overeating.
Within a year, Millie’s blood
levels have returned to normal and her Body Mass Index (BMI)
places her at the ideal body weight for her age and she no
longer experiences the gastrointestinal symptoms. Her
grandmother reports Millie has more energy, doesn’t get winded
as easily and thrives as a happy, healthy 5-year-old girl.
A senior track star at Nathan Hale High School in Tulsa, Raegene
competes in the 4x100-meter, 4x200-meter, 4x400-meter and 300-meter
hurdles, with the hurdles as her favorite. She trains hard and has
aspirations of winning state this year. But all that came to a
screeching halt when she started experiencing significant hip, low
back and ankle pain.
When she began treatment at TherapyWorks in the spring, her
therapists fitted her with orthotics, which helped; but, something
was still missing. She continued to experience hip and low back pain
that affected her ability to train. Following several brainstorming
sessions with her physical therapy team, her therapists discovered
Rae had a significant pelvic and sacral dysfunction.
They dedicated several treatment sessions to correct this
misalignment and reduce muscle spasms in her lower back and hips and
implemented strengthening exercises to help maintain the proper
alignment. In addition, Kinesio Taping® techniques helped teach Rae
how to correctly use muscle groups and decrease compensation.
Rae made steady progress and her pain decreased as the treatments
continued. TherapyWorks received an email from Rae informing us that
she felt better than she had in a long time and she was able to run
for the first time with no pain!
She continues to make gains each week and is on track to train for
state this coming spring. We are so excited to watch this tremendous
young athlete return to the sport that she loves and be able to live
her life pain free.
Struggling
with sensory processing disorder, Blake could only attend to
activities or tasks for a few minutes at a time. As early as April,
he was unable to tolerate excessive noise, being wet or participate
in family outings without having a meltdown.
In his occupational therapy sessions, his therapists have worked to
regulate his sensory system by using a weighted vest, increasing
heavy work and incorporating a picture schedule. Although these
strategies made a small difference, he was still unable to stay
engaged for longer than 5-7 minutes.
Recently, his therapists decided to introduce the Wilbarger Brushing
Protocol, which includes brushing a child’s arms, legs and back with
a specially designed brush. They began implementing the protocol at
the beginning of each of Blake's OT sessions and also educated his
parents on this protocol to allow for brushing at home. Blake has
now been participating in the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol for about
six weeks.
He is showing significant progress, not only during therapy
sessions, but also within his home environment. Blake now begins
each therapy session with brushing and wears a weighted compression
vest.
He is able to remain engaged in activities for longer periods of
time including playing games at the table for up to 20 minutes.
Blake's mother reports he is now able to go to baseball games with
his family without being overly bothered by the excessive noise. She
also said Blake enjoyed playing in the wave pool (and even getting
splashed) during their family vacation!
A
spunky 4-year-old, Cassie Jo was diagnosed with spina bifida when
she was born. Many children with spina bifida cannot walk or have
difficulty walking and when Cassie Jo first came to TherapyWorks,
she was using a walker and had very limited mobility.
Receiving occupational and physical therapy at TherapyWorks for
almost a year, her treatment sessions have focused on increasing her
independence with walking with an assistive device.
Several months ago Cassie Jo's therapists, Kea Averill, PTA, and
Laci DiLibero, PTA, began training her how to walk with forearm
crutches.
On April 11, 2012, Cassie Jo walked with her forearm crutches,
across the therapy gym, for the first time. Her mom and therapists
were ecstatic, to say the least.
During her jaunt across the gym, Cassie Jo exclaimed, “I can walk
like a big girl now!" Take a look at her first "big girl" steps!
Click
here to see a video of Cassie Jo taking her first steps!
Diagnosed
with Down syndrome, Jesus' speech-language development was delayed
and communication with family and friends was difficult.
His speech therapists helped his family obtain an augmentative and
alternative communication (AAC) device that enabled Jesus to point
to a screen and have the device speak for him.
“He is able to communicate better with everyone and also able to
express his desires, what he likes and what he doesn't,” the
Gonzalez family said. “With his speech device he is able to
communicate. He lets us know what he wants at a certain time and
place. It makes it easier to understand him and help him.”
Sign language was not a good option for Jesus because with sign
language, the other communication partner must know sign language as
well.
“Sign language is not a universal language, which is why we chose
this device for Jesus. He can use this and communicate with anyone,”
said his speech therapist, Kara Sexson, MS, CCC-SLP. “Jesus uses the
device to request items of need and to comment. He initiates
conversation with not just me, but everyone around him using his
device.”
Beau's
life changed forever one day when he was kicked in the head by a
horse. Lifeflighted to the hospital, his parents didn't know if he
would live. To say his recovery is remarkable is an understatement.
After he was discharged from the hospital and inpatient rehab
center, he began receiving intensive physical, occupational and
speech therapy at TherapyWorks. Since then, Beau's dad, Zach, said
he has specifically seen improvements in his fine motor skills in
his left hand and his balance is much improved.
“His overall ability to run and play and be a little boy like before
his accident (has improved),” Zach said.
Zach gives credit to Beau's therapists and the homework assignments
they give him for the strides he has made.
“They come to work everyday with an attitude they are going to help
Beau. I'm very proud of him,” Zach said. “Therapy works at
TherapyWorks!”
Beau is 3 years old and receives occupational, physical and
speech therapy at TherapyWorks.
Noelle
began attending TherapyWorks when she was just a few months old. Her
muscles were very weak and she had difficulty eating.
“When Noelle came to TherapyWorks as in infant, she had no control
of her hands or head,” Noelle's mother, Danielle, said.
In addition, reflux issues contributed to her feeding issues and
poor weight gain. Later diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, it
became necessary to begin an intensive therapy program. Noelle's
therapists worked closely with her physicians to create a
comprehensive treatment plan to help Noelle meet her therapy goals.
“Today, she is walking, talking, playing, eating, all the things her
doctors said she would not be able to do at this age,” Danielle
said. “I am so happy and grateful for Noelle's therapists past and
present. They have become family to us. Noelle loves to come to
therapy!”
Noelle is 3-years-old and receiving occupational, speech,
physical and nutrition therapy at TherapyWorks.
