Aimee's Journey with Cerebral Palsy, A Story of Early Detection and Early Treatment скачать в хорошем качестве

Aimee's Journey with Cerebral Palsy, A Story of Early Detection and Early Treatment

Aimee, a young adult who happens to have cerebral palsy, shares her story of how early detection and early treatment, along with 25 years of therapy at pediatric therapy clinic Pathways.org Center, helped her become a high achiever. Aimee shared this motivational speech at the Pathways.org 2013 Fundraiser Dinner. (Pathways.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.) Pathways.org Center offers best practices in occupational, physical and speech therapy. Aimee credits Pathways.org Center as a major influence in her life. "Pathways.org has been close to my heart for 25 years," she says. "I'm so excited to be giving back to the disability community tonight." "I was born 12 weeks premature, weighing only 2 pounds 13 ounces. Doctors told my parents I may have disabilities. My parents didn't know what to expect. As you can see there was no need to worry. I am standing here tonight ambitious as ever," she says. "Today I am 25, thriving and here to speak to you about my journey living with cerebral palsy." Tenacious, strong willed, and independent is how Aimee describes herself. While living with cerebral palsy, "I have never let it limit my opportunities." She credits much of her success to early detection and early treatment. "It is important for any child with a developmental delay to receive services as soon as possible. The earlier a child is diagnosed and treated, the greater the chance that child has of reaching their fullest potential," Aimee says. "My goal this evening is to teach you that the barriers of disability are fictitious and people with differences can do anything they desire as long as they have support and enthusiasm." From an early age, Pathways.org has played an integral part in Aimee's life. "I owe much of my spunk to Pathways Center," she says, where she attended therapy sessions 2-3 times a week, starting at the age of six months. She still goes to Pathways.org Center for therapy. "It is the culmination of 25 years of hard work, some struggles and many accomplishments that make me who I am today. I learned how to dress myself, do my hair, walk with a walker and canes and most importantly stick up for myself." Aimee estimates she has participated in more than 2,000 therapy sessions at Pathways.org Center. "Because of people's faith in me, combined with my tenacity I have continually worked to achieve my fullest potential... In those 2,000 visits I hope I have enriched the community of Pathways as much as Pathways has enriched my life." Aimee chose to share her accomplishments with other young people with physical challenges. In conjunction with Pathway.org Center, she started a support group called "Girls Club" for girls ages 5 to 9 years old with cerebral palsy. Pathways.org "was kind enough to donate time, space and volunteers to make my dream a reality. Six little girls met once a week, took part in art and cooking projects, and shared their unique experience of having motor skill differences," Aimee says. Socialization, making lasting friendships and being part of a community were major goals of the club: "Girls Club was a community where the participants could be themselves and develop as a person outside the therapeutic environment," Aimee recalls."The group was an overwhelming success." She is starting her own support group called "Just Give Me a Chance," for children ages 5-10 years old with cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other movement disorders, beginning in January 2014. For more information, resources and videos about physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, therapists, and cerebral palsy, please visit www.Pathways.org. All materials including videos are provided at no cost; no fees or charges may be associated with any of the Pathways.org materials without prior written approval.