Children strengthen spirits and bodies at RIKC!

At RIKC's summer therapy programs, which began in June, children ages 2 to 18 could be seen riding scooters, making sundaes and headed out to field trips.  Yes, it’s therapy with a twist of fun. 

The participants have various types of neurodevelopmental disabilities, including brain injury, tumors and stroke.  Activities during summer therapy programs work on developmental and cognitive skills with an emphasis on constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) and hand-arm bilateral intensive training (HABIT).

One day, the participants lay on their stomachs on scooter boards for an activity. As part of CIMT, their stronger arm was in a cast, requiring more use of their affected arm. Geni Wier, 10, maneuvered to the other side of the room primarily using her affected right arm. Once she and the other children got there, they had to dig through buckets of beans to find different objects. Once Geni found the toy car, she gave it to the volunteer and scooted back to the other side with a look of happiness and pride on her face.

Besides working on their own, the children at the program participate in group activities. Before they used the scooters, they had to clean up the room, picking up toys and pushing tables together, all while still wearing the cast as part of CIMT. Trisha Peters, Geni’s mom, commented that  group work is a great part of the program.

“This [program] is a chance for [Geni] to be around kids afflicted the same way as her,” Peters said. “The activities help the kids figure out how to work together.”

Drennan Gwinn, 8, has been coming to RIKC for five years, and this is his fourth time at the summer program. He had troubles scooting using his affected arm, but the volunteers were helpful and encouraging. With their help, Drennan made it to the other side with a look of relief.

“I like the occupational therapy focus and group setting,” said Stephanie Gwinn, Drennan’s mom. “Of course Drennan likes it, because he likes being around people.”

Janet Padley, pediatric and adolescent coordinator at RIKC, said that before the summer programs were created, people were leaving the state to go to CIMT programs. Now, people have RIKC’s programs for their children.

Finding New Normal After Stroke

Phil Griffin is the Score Board Operator for the Kansas City Chiefs.  On January 10th, he experienced a stroke that affected the left side of his body.  After going through RIKC’s Medical Rehabilitation Program, he is currently working with the RIKC Driving Program to return to his busy lifestyle.  In this latest blog post, he reflects on life after stroke.

Cannot drive yet - what frustration. It’s difficult relying on others for things I used to be able to do.  I don’t feel sorry for myself, though – always ready to start my next adventure. I used to shave left to right.  Now I shave right to left.  I’m learning to do things differently and starting to get into a routine that works for me.  Every day, I get up and work from home at one of my part-time jobs, assigning basketball officials for the metro.  Then I go for my walk to the coffee shop and talk to the guys.  We always solve world problems, which energizes me every day.  It’s important to feel like I’m still contributing – that I’m a part of a community. I’m lucky that my stroke hasn’t prevented me from continuing to work.  I know the Chiefs are losing, but I’m proud to work the scoreboard and the crew has been great to me.  I received a nice email from my boss at the Chiefs telling our crew we did a great job this year so far.  It meant a lot because sometimes I wonder if people know I had a stroke.  I don’t want people to baby me. 

I’ve noticed since the stroke that I am more careful about what I’m doing.  I survey every situation now.  I do a lot of walking.  I still have trouble walking stairs, so I have to be careful.  If there is an elevator, I use it.  I avoid different difficult situations like a gymnasium.  I always walk on the right side of an entrance so I can use my good arm for balance and avoid crowds if I can.  I’m still trying to define what’s normal for me.  It’s great to appreciate the little things, but also to stay busy.  I’ve learned how important it is to keep my brain busy.  Since my stroke, I’ve wanted to do something that helps stroke survivors like me live a normal life.  I feel that if you help somebody else, you’re also helping yourself; and that’s life in a nutshell.