Rachel and Janneke (“Yanika”) are sisters, and they are unable to suck and swallow, walk, roll, or talk. Though they do not have “normal” abilities, they do have the Children’s Centre!  The therapy teams at NPCC have helped five year old Rachel strengthen her legs to bear weight in a standing frame, and during the first three years of her life, Rachel received careful and intentional physiotherapy.  Janneke is now two years old, and she has benefited from wonderful care at NPCC in these first two years.  Janneke has received physio and occupational therapy to help her muscles strengthen, and she has learned to use her hands for the fine motor skill of touching.  The last six months have been particularly rewarding for Rachel and Janneke.  Rachel attends the preschool therapy program, and she has developed a babble sound that she incorporates with lots of smiles for the other small children.  Though she is often in her wheelchair, she participates with her eyes and her facial expressions.  Janneke has been able to bear weight through her legs with the use of a Pacer, a walker-frame that allows her to move on her feet.  Without the NPCC team, our girls would be unable to experience these accomplishments, and we would feel very much alone as a family.

Drew is 4 and was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth.  A very lovable, happy little guy who wakes up everyday to try his very best at conquering a new skill.  Skills we take for granted… Drew sat up at 10 months and walked at 27 months. At age 4 ½ he is considered non verbal and rely’s on signing and pictures to communicate, but the words are starting to come.  It takes a village to raise a child. NPCC is that village and we are so grateful that Drew has had the opportunity to have this early intervention. Our children require this support and thrive in this inclusive environment where all efforts and achievements are celebrated.

Our daughter Katelyn was diagnosed at the age of 19 months with a very rare chromosome abnormality called TETRASOMY 18P. We really didn’t know much about it (and still really don’t) but we were told that she would probably have some developmental delays. We were fortunate enough to have been referred to the Niagara Peninsula Children’s Centre for some early interventions when she was about 8 months old because she was not reaching the milestones of other children at the same age.  When she was diagnosed, we had so much support from our team at NPCC.  Katelyn was accepted into the IPRP program at the Children’s Centre at the age of 2 ½, where she continued to get support in all her areas of need. She made many new friends and absolutely loved her team of teachers. We saw a lot of growth in Katelyn over that year due to all the hard work and dedication of the team. She then moved into a daycare where she was assigned to another team of therapists and they continued to work with her at NPCC as well as going to her daycare and working with the staff there. We are very pleased with all the teams that have worked with Katelyn and we look forward to her Junior Kindergarten year in the Early Learning Program at NPCC. We truly believe that Katelyn would not have progressed as much as she has without the support of the staff at NPCC!

We really don’t know what the future holds for Katelyn as she is 1 of only 100 cases ever diagnosed worldwide, but we know she is in good hands with the staff at NPCC. They treat these children like they are their own. People always say “miracles never happen” but spend a day at the centre and you will see miracles happen everyday. Most people do not realize how lucky we are to have a facility like NPCC in our city, with a staff so dedicated to our children. But WE do and we know how important it is to keep the centre up and running.

Jessica is 11 years old and lives in Welland. When she was about 1 ½ years old, she was suffering seizures and was diagnosed with Angleman’s Syndrome, a rare disorder which results in physical and mental challenges. Jessica was unable to walk when first referred to the Children’s Centre, and after starting therapy she made remarkable strides. She is now able to walk, having eventually learned a skill that we often take for granted. Jessica’s mother says if it were not for the Children’s Centre, Jessica would not be walking today.

-LAST UPDATE SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

Kaitlyn is eighteen and has cerebral palsy. She started receiving treatment at the Children’s Centre when she was six months old, and her parents have nothing but praise for the Centre and its therapists. Kaitlyn has now become a very independent young lady, and this June completed her fourth year of highschool.  She does her homework on a computer site with a modified desk, she is wonderfully motivated and was on the honour roll all throughout high school.  Kaityln had applied to two Ontario universities, was accepted at both with academic scholarships, but selected Brock, and is enrolled in a Bachelor of Commerce Major Accounting Program.  At one time her parents weren’t even sure she would ever be able to hold a spoon.

-UPDATED SEPTEMBER 26, 2011