Our Stories

Your Support Makes a Difference!

Rhiannon has form of cerebral palsy called spastic diplegia. She is a graduate of The Centre for Child Development. Rhiannon’s fondest memory of The Centre is the Recreational program where she learned to swim. In time, she was able to join a swim team and went on to win many medals at the BC Disability Games.

With your ongoing support, we will keep helping children like Rhiannon reach their potential.

Jakob

Jakob is only four years old.
He suffers seizures from tuberous sclerosis,
and a severe speech disorder.

With help from The Centre for Child Development, Jakob’s now able to express short phrases, suffers fewer seizures, and says his nightly prayers with his mother.
With your ongoing support, The Centre for Child Development will keep helping children like Jakob deal every day with their developmental disabilities, and live fuller lives. Thank you.

Jovan

A client since he was born with Cerebral Palsy, 6 year old Jovan is now in grade one.

With the help of the physio and occupational therapists, and the eating skills team at the Centre for Child Development, Jovan enjoys his adapted tricycle during recess with the other kids, and his new power wheelchair, which he is learning to drive independently. His family is grateful that the team at the Centre for Child Development “takes the time to understand Jovan’s individual needs.”
With your ongoing support, The Centre for Child Development will keep helping children like Jovan deal every day with their developmental disabilities, and live fuller lives. Thank you.

Katchen

Born with radial aplasia, six and a half month old Katchen is missing the radius bone in her right forearm and thumb.

Katchen‘s family is full of musicians, dancers and sports enthusiasts and they worried about the things she might not be able to do. But, the occupational therapists at the Centre for Child Development helped them see that their daughter was “perfectly made and that she can,and will, do everything she dreams of.”
With your ongoing support, The Centre for Child Development will keep helping children like Katchen deal every day with their developmental disabilities, and live fuller lives. Thank you.

Bhavyn Kaur Sandhu

Born 11 years ago with two rare disorders,
doctors were unsure whether
Bhavyn Kaur Sandhu would ever
talk, eat, sit or walk on her own.

Thirteen surgeries later, and with support from The Centre for Child Development, Bhavyn today enjoys swimming, power soccer, wheelchair sports and the arts.
With your ongoing support, The Centre for Child Development will keep helping children like Bhavyn deal every day with their developmental disabilities, and live fuller lives. Thank you.

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?

Therapy, care and support under one umbrella

We provide outpatient medical rehabilitation services to help children reach their potential.

 

Help support the work we do!