Our Stories
You Make a Difference!
The Centre’s unique, multi-disciplinary, collaborative services make a huge impact in the lives of so many children and youth in our community.
The Centre’s team works with some of our children for years, seeing them grow and develop. They form deep supportive connections and emotional bonds, becoming almost like extended family!
By supporting The Centre, YOU are helping to change lives! Below is just a small sample of the experiences of the children and families we serve, and how The Centre has made a difference for them, thanks to your amazing support!
Thank you!!
Keep making a difference!
Meet Rhiannon
Rhiannon is a graduate of The Centre for Child Development. She has form of cerebral palsy called spastic diplegia.
She benefitted from many programs, including communication therapy, physiotherapy and our fully inclusive preschool.
One of Rhiannon’s fondest memories is learning to swim as part of her treatment. In time, she was able to join a swim team and went on to win many medals at the BC Disability Games!
The support received at The Centre has “given me the courage to become a preschool teacher and on to becoming a kindergarten teacher and perhaps an author”.
“The Centre was and always will be my home away from home. There was always a welcoming smile around each corner. Most of all the abundance of support both physically and emotionally is what mattered most. As a child, you grew there.
A dream of a parents’ fundamental milestones becomes crafted into something more when you enter The Centre for Child Development.
As a child and a family, you achieved milestones that many thought were unachievable. Milestones like talking, walking, swimming, and being able to create friendships. The Centre for Child Development did just that for not only myself but for many other children as well. “
Meet Keira
Keira was born with Arthrogryposis, bilateral hip dysplasia, and aspirated with feedings, needing a G-tube until she was 3 1/2. She’s also been diagnosed with a form of Spina Bifida.
Below, her mom shares some memories of their time at The Centre.
” Keira has shown us that nothing will stop her, her PT and OT have been such a support in her development. The use of her hands and arms is beyond what we could have imaged and like everything else she does things her own way.
One of Keira’s favorite times at The Centre was in pool, this is when we took a break from physio in the gym and had a bit more fun while still doing her exercises. She came alive in the pool, she loved singing songs and splashing us all. In the pool was the first time we saw her standing on her own holding a bar without any support. The pool therapy is amazing and each time we went Keira showed us just one more thing she could do like blow bubbles and kick her legs as fast as she could.
Keira’s physio and occupational therapists … were a big part of working with us and the Equipment Team in getting devices that help Keira. Its so great to see a team working together to come up with solutions instead of always hearing well she can’t or won’t be able to do that.
We were told that Keira would never sit, stand or even hold her head up, and later on that we would have to decide whether she would sit or stand. Then, our doctor told us that Keira would both stand and walk, and this was all due to the amazing support her team had given her and her determination!”
Our Approach
The F-words emphasize your child's strengths, interests and your family's values. They remind us to focus on what children CAN do.
They highlight the importance of all the elements of a child's health and well-being, including social relationships and meaningful participation at home, in school, childcare and in the community.
Based on research & built on the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Framework. www.canchild.ca/f-words
- Kids live & thrive with their families
- The family is the expert on the child
- What activities do you want to do together?
- How can our team help your child participate fully in those experiences?
- Fun is an essential part of childhood
- What activities does your child enjoy most?
- What activities would your child like to try?
- Building supportive friendships & positive social relationships are important for all children
- Talk about the social connections in your child's life so our team can help you grow those relationships
- Function = the ability to do an activity with or without support
- Do activities without focusing on the outcome
- Talk about how your child plays and functions in daily life
- Health is related to staying physically & mentally fit
- What makes it easy or hard for your child to become and stay active & healthy?
- Child development = keeping your child's future in view
- What are your family and child's dreams?
- What are your expectations about the future?
Questions about our services? Have questions about our online referral or PDF referral form? We're happy to help!
Call us at 604-584-1361 or send us an email.
Therapy, care and support under one umbrella
We provide outpatient medical rehabilitation services to help children reach their potential.