SPRING 2012
The Newsletter for the Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies
Bethel Brothers Beat the Odds
We see the ABILITY
in disABILITY!
Since 1959, the Kids Center for
Pediatric Therapies, formerly
known as the Cerebral Palsy
K.I.D.S. Center, has been
serving families of children
with special needs in our
region. We see children with
Down Syndrome, Spina bifida,
cerebral palsy, autism, seizure
disorders, and a number
of other developmental
conditions. We offer physical,
occupational, and speech
therapies for children, and
support programs for families.
We see the ability in disability!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Volunteer Spotlight - p. 2
Memories of Empowerment- p. 3
Upcoming Events- p. 4
A Special Gift- p. 5
Healthy Summer - p. 6
Walk & Roll - p. 7
New ADL Suite - p.8
PJ loves football and soccer. Zeke loves
books and music. PJ is into superheroes.
Zeke loves watching cartoons. Both have
been coming to the Kids Center for about
a year. Both pack a contagious smile and
lots of energy. These four-year-old twins
have made major strides despite facing
some very big obstacles.
When Kemia Banks was expecting twins
she learned that the boys were not sharing
nutrients evenly. Because of these
complications, both boys were born with
some issues. PJ had one leg that needed to
be amputated and Zeke had cerebral palsy
that impacted all of his limbs. “I was just
glad they made it and I had faith that we
could make it through,” explained Kemia.
Both started therapy right away and mom
got the usual list of things she was warned
the boys would never do. For PJ it would
be cognitive issues, speech, and being able
to keep up with classmates as he has a
prosthetic leg. For Zeke it was being able
to walk, to open his hands, speech, and
learning delays. The family was
dealt another major blow when the
boys’ father died from a sudden heart
attack when they were just a year old.
The family found the Kids Center after
working with Dr. Laura Jacks on a
special surgery last summer.
“I loved the place from the
moment we arrived,” Kemia
said. “Everywhere else you
get looks and questions.
There they were just kids.”
Kemia also liked how
she was included as part
of the therapy team
and given more
detailed and creative
ideas about what to do at home with the
boys.
Last fall the boys started getting involved
at the Center, entering the Fashion
Show. “They loved the attention. I did
not know what to expect. But next year
we’ll be back with all of their fans,” she
added. The boys also joined the Kids
Center’s cheerleading squad, renamed the
Firecrackers to be friendlier to boys. “It’s
neat because their older brother Rayden is
into a lot of sports. But when they cheer
he is the one in the stands watching and
they are the ones competing. That means
a lot to them and to me.” In May the
family is forming their first Walk & Roll
team with fans.
The boys are already checking things
off that “never do” list. Neither boy has
learning delays. Neither is in speech
therapy. PJ keeps up just fine with his
peers and Zeke and mom are determined
he’ll one day walk on this own.
u
o
Y
k
n
a
h
T
ADL Donors:
Patrick Miller, Planning & Construction
Associates
Jacob C. Koch Charitable Trust
Independent Pilots Association
The Cralle Foundation, Inc.
Wood & Marie C. Hannah Foundation
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels
UPS
The Gheens Foundation
The Ogle Foundation
James Graham Brown Foundation
Rosa Mosaic & Tile
Kosair Charities
2012 Walk & Roll:
TITLE SPONSOR
Kosair Charities
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Stock Yards Bank & Trust
Window World
US World Meds
Fourth Street Live
Norton Healthcare
Wal-Mart
GOLD SPONSORS
Papa John’s
First Capital Bank
Independent Pilots Association
Rehab Care
US Bank
White Castle
SILVER SPONSORS
Kerr-Greulich Engineers
Spectra Press & Mail
Northwestern Mutual
Toshiba
CONTRIBUTING SPONSOR
Kaplan Barron Pediatric Group
Louisville Water Co.
Hawkeye Security & Electronics
Vest Advertising & Public Relations
The Vine is the quarterly
publication of the
Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies.
Editor - Jim Littlefield-Dalmares
Contributors - Jim Littlefield-Dalmares,
Tonya Abeln, Brandon Reed, Kelly Kremer
Executive Director - Dave Ramer
Assistant Director - Barbara Borie
Copy Editors - Rita Impellizzeri,
Cindy Silletto
Layout & Design - AD!F.X., LLC
Printed by Publishers Printing Co.
Kids Center
982 Eastern Pkwy.
Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 635-6397
www.kidscenterky.org
2 • SPRING 2012
The Magic of a Man by Tonya Abeln
“Magic” is a word that is often used
to describe the work at Kids Center
for Pediatric Therapies. We all know
it’s not; it’s the academic training of
brilliant and dedicated staff, the sheer
will and determination of the children in
their care, and the unyielding faith and
unwavering support of parents. But I’m
sure we all remember the feeling that
encircled us as we toured the grounds
or witnessed a therapy session for the
first time. It’s a feeling that can’t be
described. It could only be described as
being in the presence of something…
magic.
There is one special volunteer for the
Kids Center who knows that feeling
well, and knows more than just a thing
or two about magic. Patrick Miller
was born with bilateral club feet in
December 1949, and the following
thirteen years of casting treatments
and surgeries saw him in and out of
Kosair Children’s Hospital. After that
period of treatments, Patrick decided
to try to give back to the hospital that
had taken such great care of him by
working as an orderly in college and
booking entertainment for the kids. He
recalls the excitement of the day The
Beach Boys stopped by the hospital and
performed an impromptu concert with
make-shift instruments.
Patrick’s commitment to giving back
remains firm. As a board member of
Kosair Charities since 2008, and liaison
to the Kids Center, the former “Kosair Kid”
is still booking entertainment for their
benefit, only now, he is the entertainment.
Though professionally he has seen much
success as the owner of Planning and
Construction Associates, Inc., a hobby he
has honed with his lovely wife, Janice,
has garnered him national praise and
recognition as a magician and provides
another way for him to give back to the
causes that he holds so dear.
In 2007, he founded The Magic and the
Wonder, a fast-paced Vegas-style show
that features his act as well as some of the
most popular acts in the magic industry.
The event continues to grow exponentially
each year and in 2011, it netted $28,000
for Kosair Charities and the Kids Center.
This year, the annual event will be held
on Sunday, May 20, at Louisville Palace
Theatre. If that date sounds familiar, yep,
it’s the day after Walk & Roll for Kids – an
opportunity to create magic all weekend
long! Tickets will go on sale in April, and
Patrick has already announced the first
exciting act; internationally acclaimed
comedian and motivational speaker Steve
Bargatze is back by popular demand.
Patrick’s act on stage is entertaining
and riveting – a must-see. But the work
he does for the Kids Center and Kosair
Charities can be described as nothing
short of…magic.
Visit kosair.org for information about this
year’s magic show.
Clicks and Picks
Memories of Empowerment by Brandon Reed
I served as Student Council President
2 years in high school; served as local,
region and state FFA president; was 1999
Kentucky Youth Leader of the Year; voted
Most Likely to Succeed by my senior
class; studied political science at the
University of Kentucky; served 8 years
on the Governor’s Commission on
Family Farms; served on the Kentucky
State Board of Agriculture; ran for
State Representative and served as
a Senior Pastor. All that changed on
March 29th, 2007.
My name is Rev. William Brandon Reed, I am
31, and I was diagnosed with spastic cerebral
palsy at the age of 18 months, affecting my
legs. I began my Kids Center journey at the
old facility downtown before it moved to
its present location on Eastern Parkway. For
five years, I traveled from Hodgenville with
my parents every Tuesday to the Center,
where I would receive physical and speech
therapies, I was always sore and always came
home saying a new word…my first being
S-O-A-P!!!. I always loved seeing my close
friends Kim and Paula, who always poured
themselves into every star that came through
the doors. Paula would sit me in her lap every
Tuesday before I left and allowed me to type
on her typewriter. I remember my last day at
the Center before I started elementary school,
Paula was gone, and so I retrieved my typing
paper from our “secret hiding spot” and left
it in Paula’s seat…my way of saying goodbye.
Sure, I visited the Center throughout the years
on Thursdays to see my favorite Dr. “B” and
my friends, but those early years remained a
pillar of empowerment that drove my will for
success and ability, and even today…I miss
them. They prepared me for the road ahead…
with all its turns, obstacles and forks…they
prepared me for victory!
By the age of 26, I had won numerous
speaking and writing awards all the way
through primary and secondary education.
While working for the Administrative
Office of the Courts, I suffered a traumatic
brain injury from an accidental fall in
the filing room. Miraculously my family
knew right where to turn! The Kids Center
helped me get into Frazier Rehab, where
I had to learn how to function all over
again. Dr. “B” even came for visits to see
my progression and challenge me as he
does best! I learned how to read, write,
walk and function all over again. For
18 months, I had to undergo physical,
occupational, speech, vision and audio
therapies. Even though it was a physical
and emotional rollercoaster, my early
years at the Kids Center prepared me; I
just drew from those memories…which
was not hard considering my extreme
amnesia. 10-15 years were wiped from
my memory…so remembering the Kids
Center was not difficult…but those years
of accomplishments were wiped out. No
need to worry…I will just succeed with
my new life like they taught me!
Today, I, along with my lovely wife Olivia
and my beautiful 6-month-old daughter
Chloe, live in Hodgenville on a fivegeneration farm. We are independent
business owners and founders of De
Oppresso Liber Ministries, whose “soul”
purpose is to liberate the oppressed
through evangelism and charitable
endeavors. We work closely with the
Kids Center to raise awareness for this
Gibraltar, which serves as a catalyst for
empowerment, success and ability.
www.kyyouth.org
legislative updates on issues that affect
our kids
www.louisvilleky.gov
list of adapted leisure activities and
community happenings
www.special-kids.com
information on all types of disabilities
www.community.com/disability/
specialists
www.kyspin.com
special parent involvement network
www.specialchild.com
www.challengedamerica.com
possible funding source for physically
challenged kids under 18
www.medlineplus.gov
for all types of health information
www.findoflouisville.org
help for special needs families in
navigating the school system
www.passporthealthplan.com
KCHIP - Kentucky Children’s Health
Insurance Program
www.apta.org
website for the American Physical
Therapy Association
www.lfpl.org
website for the Louisville
Free Public Library
www.drymids.com
offers reusable protective underwear
that are affordable, discreet, quiet,
comfortable, fashionable and functional.
www.do2learn.com
free printable pictures, schedules for kids
www.dltk-cards.com/chart/
free printable chore charts for kids.
www.councilondd.org
information on Developmental Disabilities
as well as parent training and educational
advocacy
www.kidskandoo.com
encourages kids to become more
independent in self-care
www.spasticity.com
www.wemove.com
www.uhccf.org
offering support to families of children
with disabilities for medical services not
covered by insurance or Medicaid. Grants
up to $5,000. See guidelines online to
apply.
www.eparent.com/main_channels_
financial_planning/index.asp
financial planning for the exceptional
family
www.louisville.edu/kyautismtraining
Kentucky Autism Training Center
www.parentideaguide.com
free early literacy activities
www.autismtown.org/
AutismTown is a great visual junction
between families, professionals and
organizations: check it out today.
SPRING 2012 • 3
Family Services
Coming up at the Kids Center and
Around Town:
April
Handwriting Camps
Spring Break Crab Grabbers
April 9-12 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Spring Break Printing Primers
April 9-12 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
for details on both camps go to
www.kidscenterky.org and print out a
camp brochure
Camp Reminders:
Summer Handwriting Camps - date
TBA - if you are interested, please
let us know asap so we can plan
the size and times of the group.
Please contact Kara Vonderheide at
[email protected]
Interactive Metronome Camps
- Using the well researched
Interactive Metronome program,
participants will challenge
each other to excel with motor
coordination and executive
function skills. Camp will consist
of group warm up using fun and
motivating large motor/ organizing
activities, an hour of individual
practice time on the IM unit, and
a group cool down focusing on
functional goal areas. Participants
will be matched according to
age, developmental level, and
functional needs. Must be a
current participant in OT services
at the Kids Center or receive an
OT assessment prior to entry.
Times of these camps are also still
undetermined. Look in Center
or check with your therapist for
details.
4 • SPRING 2012
3rd Annual Kids Center Art Show
OT Department Hallway
April 16-20
Art Show Reception
April 18 - 5:00 p.m.
Parent Workshop
We will provide food and baby-sitting.
Look for the speaker topic in Center.
April 18
Zoe’s Kitchen
% of Sales Fundraising Night to benefit
the Cards for Kids walk team
April 24 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Downtown -500 W. Jefferson
“Meet the Kids” Tours
Tuesday, April 24- 4:00 p.m.
All Hail the King
Kids Center
kid Drew Cull
is growing up
before our
eyes. Here he
is after winning
Homecoming
King at Fairdale
High School.
May
Zumba Fundraiser by ProFormance
May 12 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
2041 River Road. For more
information call 895-3472 or go to
www.ProFormanceResults.com
Walk & Roll for Kids
May 19 8:30 a.m.
Fourth Street Live
2-mile fundraising walk
The Magic and the Wonder
May 20 5:00 p.m.
Palace Theater
A portion of the proceeds benefit
the Kids Center. For ticket
information go to www.kosair.org
“Meet the Kids” Tours
Friday, May 11th - 8:30 a.m.
July
Home-Suite-Home Camp
July 9-11, 23-25
Two non-consecutive weeks camp.
Includes self-care, food prep,
cleaning, and emergency
preparedness.
Where Does
The Money
Go?
All fundraisers for the
Kids Center help us make
sure no child is turned
away. Each year we face
a gap of over $700,000
for what we call “Kids
Care.” Kids Care are
hours of therapy that
we provide without the
money to pay for them.
Every $20 we raise
provides one hour of
care. Every $1,000 we
raise can help treat one
child for an entire year.
Mark Burton and Grace Eldridge
A Special Gift – One Client Helps Another
Get Ride of Her Life
When Mark Burton, Sr. was sitting in the lobby waiting for his son Mark to finish
therapy, he got to witness one of those moments suitable for our Ability Wall.
Grace Eldridge had a surprise for her mother as she pedaled down the hall with her
therapist on a special bike. Mark recalled Grace’s mother saying that this was the
first time she had ever seen her ride a bike. That got Mark thinking.
Years ago his son Mark had used a very similar bike as he developed. Mark thought
it would be great to dust off the old bike and donate it to Grace and her family. Due
to scheduling they had to wait until just after Christmas, but the timing became
perfect.
Last December Grace’s family was robbed not once, but twice, losing some of their
home electronics, such as a Wii, and all of the Christmas presents mom had bought
to date. “It kind of had me down and I almost lost faith in people,” explained Alison
Eldridge.
Reminders:
Leave a Legacy
Supporting the Kids
Center through a planned
gift can help ensure no
child is turned away
forever.
If you’d like information
about how to include the
Kids Center in your will or
estate plan, contact
Jim Littlefield-Dalmares, at
(502)635-6397, ext. 124 or
[email protected]
After winter break Grace and her mom returned to therapy and were told there was
a surprise for them. When Grace saw the bike she smiled from ear to ear and her
mom broke out in tears. Today Grace is working hard on the bike and the family
hopes one day they can give it to another child.
SPRING 2012 • 5
Having Fun Will Keep Kids Healthier in
the Summer! by Kelly Kremer
As we are approaching summer break, our children are filled with excitement! No
more school! No more homework! No more teachers! Just time to sit around, be with
friends, and stop learning, right? Well, summer doesn’t have to mean those things, nor
should it!
Summer can be a difficult time for children as the structure they found in the school
schedule is no longer. For some, this means they spend more time in front of the TV,
on the internet, on their phones, or playing video games. Studies show that children
over the age of 8 spend 7 hours a day consuming some sort of media entertainment.
Don’t let your children be part of this statistic this summer. The American Academy of
Pediatrics recommends that children spend no more than 2 hours a day consuming
media and children under the age of 2 not spend any time watching TV.
Kelly Kremer, PT
Education: Undergraduate degree
of Bachelor in Health Science from
Bellarmine University in 2007
Graduate degree of Doctor of Physical
Therapy from Bellarmine University
in 2008
Work Background/Experience:
Worked in adult sub-acute rehab
focused on orthopedics for 3 years.
Started working at the Kids Center in
September of 2011. Was a student at
the Kids Center under Lisa Campbell
while completing internships in
graduate school.
Hobbies or interests: Training for the
Triple Crown and Mini Marathon
with Team Ability, reading, traveling,
playing with my dog and spending
time with my husband.
Family: I am one of 6 children! I have
been married for about 1.5 years and I
have a 2-year-old hound dog, Colbie,
and a 5-year-old black cat, Sedona.
What I like most about Kids Center:
Getting to work with these wonderful
children and being a part of great
families. I also am blessed to have
such talented and selfless coworkers
so willing to help me along!
6 •SPRING 2012
So, that leaves it up to parents to find ways to appropriately entertain their children
while trying to keep them active in both mind and body. The American Academy of
Pediatrics recommends that children receive 60 minutes of physical activity every
day, but this can be broken into short 15 minute bouts at a time if that works better
into a schedule. Furthermore, this does not have to be traditional “exercise,” but rather
just some fun activities for children to be active participants in.
Here are some easy and cheap ways to engage your children in active play:
•Fly a kite
•Play in a sprinkler or with a hose
•Build a fort (inside or outside)
•Have a water balloon fight
•Go on a “worm hunt” in your neighborhood or park
•Set up a scavenger hunt (inside or outside)
•Play charades
•Play park bingo (Create bingo cards with things commonly seen at a park, then
go find them together!)
• For more ideas, visit this website:
http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2011/05/80-inexpensive-or-free-summer activities-for-kids/
Here are some possible activities and classes offered in the Louisville area:
•Young Rembrandts (art classes)
•All About Kids
•Speed Art Museum
•Sips N Strokes Kids Classes (painting)
•Henry’s Ark Petting Zoo
•The Louisville Zoo
•Louisville Nature Center (free)
•Visit your local firehouse (Set up an appointment to go visit and see the
fire trucks.)
Here are some possible day and longer camps your children might enjoy:
•Camp Quality (free camp for children who have or have had cancer)
•The Center for Courageous Kids (free medical camp providing recreation
and respite care)
•The American Printing House for the Blind (Children will write, illustrate,
print, and bind their own stories.)
Walk & Roll Gives Many Chance to
Give Back
They come in all shapes and sizes – from families with babies in strollers, to Daisy
Troops decked out in uniform, all the way up to the UPS Supply Chain Solutions
team who brought so many people last year that they needed their own r
egistration table. But all are bonded together by a common cause – to make sure
no child is ever turned away. Last year over 1,100 people from one hundred teams
raised $170,000 – up 26% from the year before. This year supporters will
assemble again at Fourth Street Live for the ninth annual Walk & Roll for Kids on
Saturday, May 19, 2012. The goal for this year’s event is to break $210,000.
“The Walk is wonderful because it gives people a chance to get behind our
kids,” explains Executive Director David Ramer. “People hear about the
challenges our kids have and they want to help. And knowing that every $20
creates one hour of care – that is powerful,” he added. Funds from the Walk & Roll
go to cover the costs of un-reimbursed care, which the Kids Center calls “Kids Care”
hours.
Money from the event is raised through corporate sponsors and teams. Most team
money is donated online. “Using the online tool FirstGiving has really helped. A lot
of people don’t like asking for money. But everyone likes sending emails and posting
things to Facebook. That’s the brilliance of this tool. I have never seen anyone put
time into it and not raise money,” explained Jim Littlefield-Dalmares, Director of
Marketing & Development at the Kids Center.
How You Can Support the Walk & Roll
1. Make a web page. We can even make it for you. Do by yourself or as part of
a team.
2. Form a team – at work, at church, with your youth group, with family,
with friends.
3. Be a sponsor – we have $100-level sponsors, all the way up to the major
corporate kind. For full details visit our website at www.kidscenterky.org.
4. Be a walker – register to walk and odnate $25 to get a t-shirt
5. Donate– go online to www.firstgiving.com/kidscenter and support one of our
walkers. Or just send us a check.
When Angie Fenton first heard
about the Kids Center, she was
hooked and knew she had to
get involved. She brought in
fellow TV personality Andy
Trienan, and both have been
involved with the Walk & Roll
for several years. This year,
both got to meet Wesley Hill
and hear his amazing story
featured last quarter in The
Vine and last fall in the Voice
Tribune. All three are excited
to lend their names to this
year’s event.
How to Help
WISH LIST
Below is a list of items you can
purchase, or give us funds to buy.
• Ink cartridges to print therapy
materials (call us for details)
• Visa gift cards for specialty items
• Staples gift cards for office supplies
• Pen lights
• Ankle/wrist weights
• Storage bins (shoebox size) with lids
• Rolls of large paper
• Rolling stools
• Memory keys/jump drives
• Xpress 101 cooker (approx. $40)
• Funding for iPad project
Support our Partners
Catering Company 243-0000
will donate 5% of any order
through 5-19
Creative Entertainment Solutions
502-622-6248
20% donated for any order
through 5-19
Hawkeye Security 812-284-3200
$100 donated with new secruity
system through 5-19
Want to Volunteer?
• Join Fashion Show committee
• Join the Run for Kids Center team
• Join Walk & Roll team
• Be a “Meet the Kids” tour host
• Help with Handwriting classes
• Group projects
• For a complete list go to
www.kidscenterky.org
SPRING 2012 • 7
982 Eastern Parkway
Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 635-6397
www.kidscenterky.org
Participating agency of
We see the ABILITY
in disABILITY!
Metro United Way and Kosair Charities
A Suite Leap for the Kids Center – ADL Suite Remodel Debuts
When you try to explain the field of occupational therapy (OT) to
the public, you often talk about the “occupation” of a kid – from
toddler to teenager. That occupation involves daily life skills like
dressing, feeding, cooking, doing laundry, and more. On leap day,
the Center formally debuted its new Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
suite where those skills can be practiced in therapy.
The new room features a renovated bedroom, bathroom and
kitchen. Together they simulate a real-world environment. For
younger kids the suite will be used to practice everyday tasks
like dressing or feeding. For older kids the space will be used to
practice skills they need to gain independence and one day live
on their own, such as cooking and laundry. The room will also be
utilized greatly by our Social Skills group that meets weekly at the
Center.
The suite renovation was made possible thanks to donors:
Patrick Miller, Planning & Construction Associates,
Independent Pilots Association, Cralle Foundation, Inc.,
Wood & Marie C. Hannah Foundation, Jacob C. Koch
Charitable Trust, Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels,
UPS, The Gheens Foundation, The Ogle Foundation,
James Graham Brown Foundation, Kosair Charities, and
Rosa Mosaic & Tile, and Kosair Charities .
The suite will become a regular feature on our Meet the
Kids tours.