I walked in to pick my daughter up from daycare and the teacher said those words that make any parent’s stomach drop…
“Can I talk to you for a minute?”
My daughter is shy and quiet, so I was racking my brain for what harm she could have caused another student. After stepping in the hall, the teacher explained they had administered a pre-schools screen and she had passed all but one part: gross motor development.
She couldn’t stand on one foot for more than 3 seconds, couldn’t jump off a couch, or walk heel to toe. And when I thought about it, she was always much slower than other kids when running; and she had trouble doing seemingly basic things, like climbing up onto a chair at the kitchen table.
We knew that Sarah had low muscle tone when we adopted her but we were told then that she would probably get stronger as she became a better walker and that she would “grow out of it.” But, here we were, almost two years since we got off the plane and she was still significantly behind the other kids in strength, running, climbing and jumping.
Being new to the area, we scoured the internet for physical therapists close to our home in Northeast Columbia. I needed a referral from our pediatrician, who agreed to write her a prescription for a physical therapy evaluation, and I made an appointment with Kathy at Abundant Life Physical Therapy. I figured if I didn’t like it, I could always go somewhere else. But at least she was being evaluated and we were headed in the right direction.
After her initial evaluation, where Sarah was tested her ability to run, climb, step and coordinate multi-step physical tasks, she was assessed at the 24-month gross motor level at almost 48 months old. There was a lot of work to do.
Here began weekly therapy sessions and homework with my less-than-willing participant. She did not like what we were asking her body to do; and worse, she had no confidence in her ability to successfully complete the physical tasks presented to her. But, over the course of few months, Sarah began to see physical therapy as fun. The obstacle course built of stools, trampolines and steps became something she enjoyed. She found pride in riding her scooter board down the room to knock over a tower of building blocks. She laughed as Miss Kathy bounced her on the exercise ball while she maintained her balance.
Sarah has now been in physical therapy for more than 6 months and has gained several months developmentally. She can now jump with both feet, climb stairs one at a time and keep up on the playground with the other kids. Physical therapy has given me the guidance of when to challenge my daughter to extend herself and try new things while also understanding which tasks may be too difficult at her current level of functioning. Doing our exercises at home has been extremely helpful, but physical theapy helps us focus on certain goals and abilities and many times the facility lends us the equipment we need to accomplish these goals.
During one appointment, they asked us if Sarah could ride a bike. Sadly, the answer was no. She just lacked the leg strength to make that full circle sitting up. Miss Kathy brought out an adaptive bike that allowed Sarah to pedal her feet in a more reclined position. I thought this was the answer to our bike riding dreams! I told them I wanted buy one for Sarah and inquired about the price. She told me they were $900. $900! For a tricycle!
We then found out about Abundant Life’s lending library. They lend adaptive equipment out to families with children in need of physical therapy. The center raises money, refurbishes equipment and lends these resources to members of the Columbia community. One does not need to be be a client to borrow equipment from Abundant Life, only a responsible party who will return it in good condition.
Knowing that adaptive equipment for kiddos can be budget busters, I found out they offer “power chairs, wheelchairs, ramps, cushions, pillows, scooter boards, DVDs, bicycles and tricycles” for people in need. When I asked what drove their interest in providing equipment for children with physical challenges, Miss Kathy simply replied, “This is my legacy.”
To support their efforts, Abundant Life holds a tag sale and a fall bike fest. The bike fest is coming up October 18 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Lake Carolina. Kids and parents alike can decorate their bike and ride it through Lake Carolina on the half-mile or mile-long path to support children with special needs. Entry for the bike fest is $10 per child and all money goes to buying parts and cleaning up equipment that is loaned to people in need in our community.
What an amazing resource this is for the people of our community! To have access to this expensive equipment free of charge makes our community special.
Has your child taken part in physical therapy? Talk about your experience in the comments.
Hi Kristin — Meryl shared your blog on Facebook. My Tyrone is also a low-muscle tone boy! We were fortunate to have him diagnosed when he was a baby; he began physical therapy at 10 months, continuing weekly until he was 5 years old. He has gone from being a boy who found the playground more stressful than fun to climbing to the very top of whatever equipment (or boulders) he can find. At 7 1/2, we’re just getting him interested in riding a bike, but I’m pretty sure by next spring/summer he’ll be doing it. I wish I knew about adaptive trikes a few years ago! Our pricey Kettler was useless to him.
It is fantastic that your daycare does developmental evaluations. Pediatricians often are not savvy when it comes to evaluating for developmental delays. I remember that I brought my concerns to our doctor when Tyrone was a baby — I could see that the other babies in my moms’ group were doing much more than he was. Physical therapy is really very satisfying because there are so many concrete things you can do to help your kid, and it’s easy to see when progress is being made.
Best of luck to you and your beautiful Sarah!