Kelly Johnson is
a firm believer that care, compassion and focused education are the traits that
helped her grandson graduate from using a wheelchair to a full scale run in
less than two months.
Brendon, a
rambunctious four-year-old, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and microcephalus
at birth. He was confined to a wheelchair and was dependent upon others for all
his needs.
“Karen McNally
started working with Brendon when he was little and we started to see some real
improvement,” said Johnson. McNally served as an Early Intervention Specialist
at the Scioto County Board of Developmental Disabilities (SCBDD) until her
retirement in September 2014. “Now, since he has been attending preschool at
the Carousel Center, he is walking, more verbal and has started interacting
more with other children.”
The Carousel
Center Preschool Program is a service of the Scioto County Board of
Developmental Disabilities. The preschool program is open to children with and
without developmental disabilities, allowing typically developing children to
learn along-side children with developmental delays.
“Every child is
different and there are many approaches to learning,” said Alicia Hedges,
preschool teacher. “We tailor the education to the child so that they get
focused learning for their specific needs.”
Hedges
attributed Brendon’s rapid growth and development to a team approach. “Because
we have various therapies and focused educational services for each child,
right here on site, it enhances the child’s experience and allows them to learn
and grow in the way they learn best,” she said.
Hedges said
Physical Therapist Trisha Schmidt worked with Brendon to get him walking on his
own.
“Trisha worked
with Brendon, using a gate belt and other therapeutic means and within two
months he was making great progress. He is now walking and running on his own,”
she said attributing his continued progress to one-on-one classroom learning
and speech and hearing therapy.
“I am so
thankful for the staff at the Carousel Center,” Johnson said. “It takes people
who put their love into their work and these staff members do that and go above
and beyond.”
The Scioto
County Board of Developmental Disabilities serves more than 700 children and
adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities in Scioto County.