CP Message Board

One of the moms of a client I see told me about a great message board for parents of children of CP.  Thanks Andrea for the tip!

Cascade Orthotics

I went to a two day course hosted by Cascade orthotics over the weekend.  It was a great course. What I really like about Cascade orthotics is that:

1. They value (and then choose the bracing for)the child in the context of where they are functionally, not just for what their feet look like.

2.  They see the value of a team approach to care.

3.  They have great customer service.

4. They have created a system that helps choose the most appropriate brace for the child. You can see it here.

They have some of the best braces I have seen.  Thanks for the great course!

Through the Eyes of a Child

I was invited to give a presentation today at a conference called “Through the Eyes of a Child.”  This conference was sponsored by the Supported Child Development Program of the Fraser Valley Child Development Center.

My topic was “Teaching Gross Motor Skills in a Childcare Setting.”  I had a lot of fun (if you were there, I hope you did too!).

My premise is that all motor skills can be broken down into three components:

1. neurological maturity
2. learning and
3. opportunity

As childcare providers, you can have a huge influence on #2 and #3.

If you were there today, I’d love to hear what you thought!

We have a new LiteGait in the clinic

This is the new LiteGait that I purchased for the clinic.

Isn’t it awesome?

This machine allows me to get children and adults up to 200 lbs and 6 foot 6 inches tall into a standing position…even if they can’t stand on their own.  We then use it over a treadmill and on the ground to work on walking skills.  I love it.  It’s like having two extra sets of really strong hands to help me.

There is some really great research and information on their website.

So far I have been using it all kinds of people.  People like a 2 year old child with balance issues and a woman in her 80’s with an incomplete spinal cord injury.

I plan to show some before and after photos and videos as I get them. So far, I am really happy with the progress that my clients are getting using this machine.

Blogging is like Exercise

I’ve decided that blogging is like exercise. 

1. It’s very therapeutic
2. It can be difficult to do on a regular basis. 
3. They both can show rewards if you do it regularly.
4. That doen’t mean that it is easy not to do it on a regular basis.

I let this blog slide because I was starting my new practice, but I really don’t want to do that.  So what is a busy PT and Mom to do? The kids still want to eat and have clean clothes you know, they are picky that way. 

Just like exercise, I am setting a goal to keep my blog up to date for my personal health.  I like that the blog helps to focus on what I think and to be able to share it with others.

See… a new blog post…I feel better now.