Programs
Hillgrove Avenue Magazine Article
Feature Article About Working Together Chicago
Nora Dudley begins this article featuring WTC with the Herbst’s story:
In 1987, Justin Herbst was born ten weeks premature, and suffered a severe stroke. This led to a diagnosis of cerebral palsy–spastic quadriplegia, a permanent neuromuscular disorder and the most severe form of CP, limiting the ability to move the limbs, torso and face. Despite his diagnosis, Herbst’s mom Patti believed her son could become independent. A decade later and frustrated by a lack of improvement in the traditional medical therapy model, Herbst’s parents enrolled him in a Canadian program focused on conductive education…
Etienne’s story
Etienne was evaluated at the Center for Independence through Conductive Education in 2021 and joined us for the 4 weeks individualized motor learning summer intensive program. He enjoyed time with his peers, and after summer, life happened. He had major hip surgery and moved houses, which meant he had to stop coming to the Center.
In 2023, Etienne ‘s mom decided to try the Center’s summer intensive again and Etienne was placed in a group with his similarly abled peers for 3 days a week, 6 hours a day.
He drove in his power chair on the first day of summer camp using a special joystick to drive, with a big, shy smile!
The students in his group were a bit older than him, but they all relate to the feeling of coming in and seeing the therapy rooms after a long time!
Like everyone else, Etienne started using elbow supports, in addition to his Benik hand brace, and after the initial tears, it started to feel better! He began reaching with his arms forward. Etienne wanted to sit with his peers at the plinth table for games, art and fun!
He got so very brave sitting on a stool with a walker behind him for safety around his trunk. Once the game started, he was part of the group with his voice and his smile. The fear of sitting with less support and more independence was gone!
By the end of the Center’s summer intensive program:
- Etienne was sitting on a Rifton toilet seat every day he came. He even asked to be left alone to get some privacy!
- He sat at the plinth with his peers for 45 minutes without any complaint about wearing his elbow supports
- He ambulated inside/outside with the Rifton Gait trainer for 150 feet daily with assistance and a smile! He has not been in a walker for over 2 years due to his previous hip surgery!
- His mom now uses the same Rifton toilet seat at home for showers.
- Etienne is now using his home bike, after practicing at the Center with his peers outside in the parking lot.
The Center is looking forward to discovering more of Etienne’s skills when he continues attending the program on a regular basis!
Story by Gabi Molnar, Conductive Education Teacher
Alleviating Stressors for Caregivers
Being a parent or caregiver to an individual with motor impairments can be a challenging journey, requiring immense dedication, love, and support. This parenting and caregiving journey can become overwhelming, often accompanied by emotional and physical strain. The Center strives to alleviate these hardships by both empowering and supporting both individuals with disabilities AND their caregivers.
The demands of caregiving, medical appointments, therapy sessions, and the uncertainties of a child’s future can significantly impact parents’ physical, emotional, and financial well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life. Recognizing and addressing this burden is crucial for creating a supportive environment for both the individual with a disability and their family.
The Intensive Motor Therapy approach used at the Center, is a comprehensive and transdisciplinary treatment approach that focuses on enhancing motor skills and maximizing functional independence. Unlike traditional outpatient therapy, which typically involves shorter and less frequent sessions, our intensive therapy programming offers high frequency and high intensity therapy optimizing the participant’s motor development. Our research based intensive therapy programming is grounded in multi-sensory peer driven learning and principles of Neuroplasticity to make neurological and functional changes for individuals with physical disabilities.
Benefits of the Center’s Intensive Motor Therapy for Parents!
- Expert Guidance and Support: Our therapeutic programs are led by skilled physical and occupational therapists and conductive education teachers who provide specialized care and guidance. Parents/Caregivers can benefit from the expertise and knowledge of these professionals, gaining a deeper understanding of their child’s condition and receiving personalized recommendations to support their child’s progress.
- Empowerment and Skill Acquisition: Through our intensive therapy programs, parents/caregivers are actively involved in their child’s therapy and developing their care plan. Parents and participants are involved in setting their goals and developing their therapy plans of care. The skills learned in therapy can then be incorporated into daily routines to maximize independence.
- Emotional Support and Networking: Participating in Center’s intensive therapy programs provides parents and participants with opportunities to connect with others facing similar challenges. Sharing experiences, challenges, and triumphs can offer emotional support, encouragement, and a sense of community, reducing feelings of isolation that may stem from caring for a person or growing up as a person with special needs.
- Holistic Development: Our intensive therapy programs focus on the overall development of the child, not just their motor skills. As parents witness progress in their child’s physical abilities, they often observe improvements in other areas, such as cognition, communication, and social interactions. This holistic development can alleviate parental concerns about their child’s future and enhance their overall well-being.
- Time Management and Convenience: While our programming does require a more intensive commitment during the therapy period, it can be more time-efficient for parents in the long run. By receiving care from our transdisciplinary staff, participants receive physical and occupational therapy in the same session, decreasing the burden of scheduling separate sessions with multiple practitioners. This decreases mental load of scheduling, transportation, and communication with various practitioners! Caregivers and parents can dedicate more time for work, personal activities, or spending quality time with their families.
CONCLUSION
The Center’s intensive motor therapy programs offer a range of benefits for individuals with motor impairments and their parents/caregivers. By actively involving caregivers in the individual’s therapy journey, the Center helps alleviate parental stressors by providing expert guidance, emotional support, skill acquisition, and fostering a sense of empowerment. As the individual progresses in their motor skills, caregivers witness growth in multiple domains, enhancing overall well-being and optimism for the future. The Center strives to support individuals with physical disabilities in addition to their families to maximize independence throughout the lifespan!
Award-Winning Program Empowers Mothers of Children with Disabilities
Friend of the Center and Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Helen Bourke-Taylor, was recently interviewed on a podcast called “Too Peas in a Podcast” hosted by Mandy Hose and Kate Jones. In it, Helen mentions the Center for Independence and our Executive Director, Patti Herbst! Helen, with the help of Patti and the Center, developed a program called Healthy Mothers Healthy Families, which is the longest-running, most effective program for mothers of children with disabilities in the world.
The award-winning program offers free workshops, a free self-paced website and training for pediatric OTs to better support moms of children with disabilities. Listen to the interview.
“Too Peas in a Podcast” is designed for peas (mothers of children with additional needs) and peafessionals (anyone else who plays a key role in the support systems for children with disabilities, parents and families), the podcast snaps the isolation barriers experienced by peas. The podcast addresses mothers being seen, looking after themselves and a change in practice. Learn more about Healthy Mothers Healthy Families.
Working Together Chicago featured on IAMCP’s blog
Aileen Provan, from the International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners posted an article on the IAMCP blog, May 5. The post features Working Together Chicago, a CFI program, which is a great opportunity for employees looking to be come involved in the IAMCP Diversity and Inclusion program.
Read her article titled: “The Hidden Talent Pool; A D&I story that will give you fresh ideas on how to attract new talent”