Our Stories- Keira
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 and Wieacker-Wolff syndrome.
Keira has benefitted from many Centre programs, including physiotherapy, casting & splinting, feeding team, our fully accessible pool, and more!
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.
We started at The Centre at 5 weeks old. Over the years, The Centre has become a second home for us. It’s always been a place of support, love and kindness from everybody there. They took the time to get to know us and our concerns, and gave us optimism and positivity when we felt devastated and overwhelmed. I felt the love and support that we would have. Keira was always looking for her hugs before and after each appointment.
One of Keira’s favorite times at The Centre was in the 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 the Equipment Team and Casting & Splinting in getting devices that help Keira. She was one of the youngest to get hand splints at 3 1/2 months old. The use of her hands and arms is beyond what we could have imagined and like everything else she does things her own way.
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!
Keira wouldn’t be the girl she is today if it weren’t for all of her therapists at The Centre, and the daycare and preschool programs- such an amazing place and I just feel so fortunate that we got to spend our first five years there with them, helping to support Keira!”
“Thank you to everyone who supports The Centre… thanks to you all, our daughter and so many other children are able to reach their potential, and give so many of us parents so much help. You have all contributed to their success, and for that we can’t thank you enough!”
– Amanda, Keira’s mom
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 deeply supportive connections and emotional bonds, becoming almost like extended family!
By supporting The Centre, YOU are helping to change lives! We’re so proud to see kids like Keira grow, learn new ways of doing things, and go beyond what everyone thought possible! We support thousands of children and families each year, helping them grow to reach their potential- your incredible support makes all of this possible!
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?
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.