Pediatric Hand Therapy

Sometimes the smallest patients can be the biggest source of inspiration for the clinicians and staff at ATI Physical Therapy.
 
Meet Nevaeh, a pediatric patient at our hand therapy clinic in Merrillville, IN.  Following a surgery that left her hands non-functional and in splints, little Nevaeh just wanted to be able to color, play, and most importantly . . . hold the hands of her family!

Neveah is shown receiving fluidotherapy at the ATI Physical Therapy clinic in Merriville, Indiana. She is shown with her the occupational therapist, Beth, who is overlooking her exercising her hands in the fluidotherapy machine. Beth is performing manaul therapy on Neveah's hands. Neveah works with puddy to help exercise her hands, and for her to work on her pinch. Beth measures Neveah's ability to straighten her fingers and her motion. Neveah is shown using fluidotherapy again, with Beth encouraging beside her. Beth describes fluidotherapy as a synthetic corn husk, that feels like sand at a beach. Fluidotherapy helps warms up the hands and helps while exercising them. Beth describes working with Neveah as trying to find ways to make therapy fun and interesting. Neveah runs over and grabs an orange exercise ball to continue working with Beth. Neveah leans over the orange exercise ball, elevating her to help make the exercise more challenging as she works on her pinch. Beth and Neveah high-five each other after Neveah is done working with the ball. Neveah's grandmother describes her frustration in trying  to place Neveah in a good place for therapy, but a lot of clinics turned them away due to Neveah's age. Neveah's grandmother, Stephanie, speaks of her gratitude with Beth being willing to work Neveah, and how flexible she was with Neveah's school schedule. Neveah is shown throwing a medicine ball, and catching it, to help with her strength. Beth describes that since Neveah has completed therapy, she can play with her siblings and ride a bicycle again. Neveah is shown walking hand and hand with her brother sister outside the clinic. Neveah speaks about how pretty she found Beth, and how she helped her stretch out her hands. The video ends with Beth giving Neveah one last high-five and hug, saying that she'll never forget her. Neveah holds up her hands showing how much they have healed. Neveah and her brother and sister show an ATI t-shirt to the camera, while yelling "ATI!" as the camera fades.

Transcript

Neveah came to me post-op, bilateral burn releases. She came to me with skin graphs, all bandaged up. She had no function of her hands, she had to be in splints at all times.

My granddaughter came to ATI Physical Therapy for her hands. We wanted to get them to get back to bend, where she could ball her fists up, and hold a pencil, and color, and ride her bike. Normal activities.

In the beginning we really worked on wound care, concentrating on motion, and just really getting to know what she loves to do, and incorporate them into her therapy.

"Move your fingers around Neveah! Get them in there." We first start in fluidotherapy, which is a form of synthetic corn husk. It's similar to sand, like you're at a beach. It just really warms up your hand, and it really allows you to exercise at the same time. With a child, therapy definitely has to be modified. Their main occupation is play. So, we had to make every activity she does somewhat interesting and fun.

"Okay, high five! Good job!"

A lot of therapists told me they didn't work with children pediatrics, or they felt it was more of a challenge. Beth here was very open to working with her, she was very active in finding ways to get her interested, make it fun. I found that ATI was convenient for me, it was close to home. It was very convenient for her to go to school, and with her school schedule.

Neveah has been an absolute pleasure to work with. She comes in everyday, from day one, with the biggest smile on her face. She inspires me to do better. You look at everything she's been through, and it's a amazing where she's at. Now that she's been through therapy, she can play with her brothers and sisters, ride her bicycle.

She likes the ability to hold our hands, and to hug us. That's one thing that really made her day.

"Miss Beth is pretty. She helps me to stretch my hands."

Neveah is bar far the bravest little girl I've ever met. I asked her what she thought of her hands and she told me they were beautiful. I'll never forget Neveah, she'll always be a special part in my heart.

"ATI!"