Leah

The first thing you notice when you meet five year old Leah is her beautiful smile, which comes complete with dimples. Leah is writing her name, knows her letters and her numbers from 1-10, and she loves school. Between school, gymnastics, swimming, Kindermusik, hippotherapy and library story hour, Leah still finds time to come to see Cheryl, physical therapist at Heartspring Pediatric Services.

Tina, Leah’s mom, recalls always feeling as though her development was slightly delayed. She never knew why until taking Leah in for an MRI after a severe seizure when she was 3 years old. Following that MRI, Leah was diagnosed with a congenital neurological disorder. Tina brought Leah to Heartspring shortly after her seizure for an evaluation. Leah began therapy that next summer and Tina decided to continue at Heartspring as a supplemental service through the school year. She still has a seizure disorder, but it is controlled with medication.

Leah’s delays are primarily with her fine and gross motor skills. She is currently working on many activities that will increase her motor planning abilities, balance and coordination with Cheryl. You can see Leah and Cheryl having a great time in therapy sessions. They “work” on skipping, jumping, kicking and throwing a ball, swinging, and climbing up and down stairs. Needless to say, both have fun while working on skills Leah will need at school, home and in the community. In occupational therapy, Leah works on refining her grasp, writing letters and drawing shapes, and strengthening her upper body. These too, are all skills Leah will need to be a successful student and possibly, a firefighter when she grows up.

Leah keeps busy participating in many programs. Tina, Cheryl, and former Heartspring occupational therapist, Elise Malmberg, have teamed up to provide Leah with a multitude of activities outside of therapy and school to increase her skills. Cheryl says, “Tina is the best! She gets Leah involved in any activity we suggest will support her growth and development.” Hippotherapy, gymnastics, swimming, and riding her new bike are all ways to have fun while working her large and small muscle groups. Tina also sees a change in Leah’s attitude since getting involved in these activities. “Leah is more easy going, go with the flow than she used to be,” says Tina. She is also very sweet and a good big sister.