Monday, October 29, 2012

Enter if you dare!

This is a fun Halloween activity that addresses so many skills, but most importantly she was proud of it and couldn't wait to give it to her "Mummy"! 

Watch out Superman, she's strong!
Tearing and pinching tissue paper is great work for the hand muscles!  It works on dexterity, too!
Bob the Builder would be proud of what she's built!  She folded along the lines and drew simple shapes on the front for details to the entrance of her spooky mansion!
Now, let's see what's inside! She pinched, and cut and colored, oh my!
Happy Halloween!

Friday, October 26, 2012

Ms. Amy follows her mother's advice!



1.  You touch the lives of children and their families every day. What do you find to be the most meaningful or rewarding part of your work?
      The most rewarding part of working at Touchstone Therapy is when one of my kids reaches a goal and I see a huge smile and their face. Recently  – one of my kids walked for the first time and gave me a big hug. It truly brought tears to my eyes seeing the joy on her mom’s face, too.

2.   We have a very experienced staff.  What did you learn a long time ago that still benefits your practice today?
          I always remember that even though I may feel really comfortable and confident when working with children, most kids don’t know me initially and they have to gain my trust. I have learned that it takes a lot of imagination and a big smile when working with children and hopefully there won’t be too many tears and they love to come to therapy!

3.  We have a unique setting for PTs.  What do you like most about our setting?
      I love working at Touchstone Therapy with such an excellent group of clinicians! This special setting allows all of the therapists – both PT and OT - to interact with each other and learn day to day. I have been practicing for 25 years and I am still enjoying and learning so much from my kids, parents and co-workers.

4.   Share your favorite quote.
   A favorite quote of mine is “ Do kind things for others because you want to; not because you expect something in return.” This is something my mom always told me as long as I can remember!

5. What is the advice you most frequently give parents?
      I always try to advise parents to take things one day at a time. It’s amazing to me to see how incredible early intervention is and how much progress children can make with physical therapy.

Ms. Amy has a giving spirit, both in her professional and personal life! Her playful nature helps, too! Her kids love to "feed" the animals pictured above with her while in PT!  Happy PT Month, Ms. Amy! 

Friday, October 19, 2012

Ms. Maggie's Ultimate Cozy Corner


Every classroom needs a cozy corner so that students have a place to go to when the classroom becomes too busy or too loud for them.  I found the perfect cozy corner at Park Road Montessori School this afternoon, right outside Ms. Maggie and Ms. Becky's classroom.   My wish is for every child to have access to this sort of learning environment where the teachers are willing to do things just a little differently.  When children's sensory needs are met, you'll find a classroom full of children exhibiting self control, appropriate regulation and a love for learning!




I'd be motivated to do a little research in here, how about you?


What a perfect reading spot!


The plan is for this to be a nice shady spot to retreat into, too!  They've planted Confederate Jasmine, which is an evergreen, to grow up and over the top of the netting!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Ms. Chrys knows how to strike a pose!





1.      You touch the lives of children and their families every day.  What do you find to be the most meaningful or rewarding part of your work?  Getting to know the families and helping support them with knowledge about what is affecting their child.

2.     Share one of your most memorable accomplishments as a PT.  Anytime I see a child discover his independence and learn to move more freely within their capacity.

3.     We have a very experienced staff.  What did you learn a long time ago that still benefits your practice today?  To be present with each child, connect with them, look in their eyes,  stay calm so they will! 

4.     We have a unique setting for PTs.  What do you like most about our setting?  The freedom the environment creates for the child to explore and learn by doing.

5.     Kids say the funniest things.  Share something a child has said that still has you chuckling.   I have a little 3 year old now who always uses my name…she will say…”I’m coming Chrys”, or  “Ok  Chrys”  Always using my name in this manner makes me chuckle.

6.     What do you love most about your job?  That every child is completely unique.

7. Share your favorite quote.   "The land of healing lies within radiant wit the happiness that  i blindly sough i  thousan oute directions.

8.     What is the advice you most frequently give parents?  To take it one day at a time, trust their intuition and stay off the internet looking for information on their child's diagnoses! 
  
9.     Do you have any community recommendations for parents and their children to enjoy?  Mitey Riders Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program, Carolinas Rehabilitation Adaptive  Sports and Adventures Program

10.     What is a home exercise that could benefit any child?  To hug and be hugged everyday.

Ms. Chrys is our resident yogi. The kids love practicing yoga with Ms. Chrys!  She teaches yoga all around town to both children and adults.  Visit www.yogatherapycharlotte.com for more information about Ms. Chrys and Balanced Body Yoga Therapy.
Happy PT Month, Ms. Chrys!  Namaste.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Making changes in children's lives makes for a great life!










1.)  You touch the lives of children and their families every day.  What do you find to be the most meaningful or rewarding part of  your work?
I feel so fortunate to work with children everyday!  My absolute favorite is the look on a child's face after weeks of hard work when they realize that they CAN do something. What a rewarding job we have!

2.)  We have a unique setting for PTS. What do like most about our setting?
Touchstone Therapy truly is a unique place.  I love that we have the opportunity to work side by side with OT's.  This allows for a team approach to the care of our clients. I also like the open and child friendly atmosphere of Touchstone that creates a child directed therapy approach.

3.) What do you love most about your job?
I love that when I come to work, every day is different.  There is certainly never a dull moment when working with kids! We have the opportunity to work with a variety of diagnosis, ages, and abilities in a setting that is fun and engaging.

4.) What is your favorite quote?
"From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life."

5.) Do you have any community recommendations for parents and their children to enjoy?
I feel that participation in community activities is extremely important for developing muscular strength and coordination. I always recommend swimming as an excellent activity that targets all muscle groups and is wonderful for endurance and conditioning as well.

Lindsey holds her doctorate in PT, but also brings a unique perspective to Touchstone with her athletic training experience. She and her new baby, Carter, are pictured above. Happy PT Month,  Lindsey!


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Ms. Carole is a gem! We treasure her!


1.  You touch the lives of children and their families every day.  What do you find to be the most meaningful or rewarding part of your work?  I love using and sharing my experience as a physical therapist, and as a parent to meet the challenge of solving each problem whether it is a tone issue, a strength issue, a weakness issue, a muscle issue, a postural alignment issue, a gross motor issue, a gait issue or a family need. 

2.  Share one of your most memorable accomplishments as a PT.  I still have a relationship with a young girl who has Cerebral Palsy.  I was involved in her life from the time she was 1 year old until she was 16 years old.  She is now 21, walks with a cane and drives a car.  She has given me a real insight as to how difficult life is for someone with a disability.  However, this young lady is the most well adjusted person because her mother expected her and encouraged her to be as independent as possible. 

3.  We have a very experienced staff.  What did you learn a long time ago that still benefits your practice today?  One, the client is the most important one in the relationship and I am here to help them.  Two, if your feet don't hit the floor correctly, the rest of the body has to compensate. 

4.  What do you love most about your job?  I love to be helpful to people. 

5.  Share your favorite quote.  "Do unto others as you would have them do to you."

6.  What is the advice that you most frequently give parents?  Every child is born with a spirit to push the limit.  Each spirit is looking for boundaries.  You are in charge of showing and teaching them the boundaries.  To feel sorry, to feel pity, and to lower your expectations does not help your child reach his full ability.  It is important that the parents find ways their child can have successes (big or little) and feel good about himself. 

7.  What is a home exercise that could benefit any child?  I like activities that emphasize trunk rotation in long-sitting, chair sitting and standing.  
a) In floor sitting, chair sitting and standing have your child reach back to one side and play with a toy for 2 minutes then go to the other side. 
b) Have your child sit in a chair with his feet on the floor and reach for a toy placed out to the side so that his weight has to transfer from the middle of the hip and hold for a count of 20.  Repeat to the other side. 

Ms. Carole has been practicing PT for more than 45 years and is a wealth of knowledge!  We are so fortunate to have her at Touchstone Therapy!  Happy PT Month, Ms. Carole!

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Celebrating Ms. Karen 's decade of care at Touchstone Therapy!



  1. You touch the lives of children and their families every day.  What do you find to be the most meaningful or rewarding part of your work?  The most meaningful and rewarding part of my work is the connection I establish with the children and families.  My aim is to provide them the best care possible, be a resource and advocate for their needs, and help them see the strengths and beauty in their children!
  2. We have a very experienced staff.  What did you learn a long time ago that still benefits your practice today?  I have been practicing PT for 24 years.  I learned a long time ago that you approach your patient with a fresh start and new eyes each day, for they are always changing.  You try to make an improvement in their function in that moment and eventually progress will come!
  3. We have a unique setting for PTs.  What do you like most about our setting?  I have worked many places in town over the years.  What I like most about Touchstone Therapy is the warm, loving, welcoming, and kid-friendly atmosphere.  This setting is motivating for the children, although at times it might make this left-brained PT a little crazyJ  To outsiders, our facility might look like a big play area; however, Touchstone is fortunate to have one of the most experienced pediatric staffs around!
  4. Share your favorite quote.  My favorite quote is, “Be joyful, pray continually, and in all things give thanks.” 1Thes5:16-18.
  5. What is the advice that you most frequently give parents?  My advice that I like to give parents is to try not to look too far down the road, but instead take each day at a time.  Most importantly, STAY OFF THE INTERNET!  Many times the internet shows the worst case scenarios.  I also encourage my parents to come to me if they have question because the whole process can sometimes be overwhelming.
Ms. Karen is Touchstone Therapy's Clinical Supervisor and has been with us since 2002.  Happy PT Month, Ms. Karen!