This past June we had our first annual Outreach Therapy Graduation Ceremony. I have started to write this blog so many times but due to bad internet and wanting to share pictures I haven't. But I still want to share this AWSOME and MEMORABLE DAY.
With outreach waiting list growing and only being able to have a 140 active outreach at a time and having 300 kids on a waiting list/STAND we realized we needed to graduate out kids who have made good progress and just need home programs and checked in on 3x a year for there braces and updated home programs. The problem is no-one wants to graduate out. Outreach is their support system and there are a lot of benefits to outreach. So we decided to make graduation a BIG DEAL because it kinda is a BIG DEAL the fact that they are doing so well.
We had 15 kids on the list to graduate but only8 were able to make it to the ceremony. We had the ceremony on an education Friday because we felt it was important to have all the parents of active outreach to be present and participate.
We had a little graduation gift for each and decorated the chapel for the event.
The therapy staff made diplomas for them to be handed and we had a certificate as well.
At the end of graduation we had a meal for everyone. The kitchen crew worked hard the entire ceremony preparing the meal.
We borrowed graduation gowns from the preschool. Before the ceremony we had a time of pictures with the families. While I was home at Christmas I had the pictures printed and will be getting an album of pictures to each of the families.
MEET ANEL
Anel started outreach 6-7 years ago. He had severe clubfeet when he was younger and 1 foot was amputated and the other had surgery. He has learned to walk, run and play with his prosthetic. He has graduated into just being followed by STAND for prosthetic care.
Meet
She is full of personality as you can tell from the pictures. When she first came to outreach she could sit up with minimal support but was unable to walk or stand. She had very low tone. Her family brought her a 4-5 hour roundtrip distance to get therapy 1x a week. It is so awesome that she can now graduate out and just need to check back in for updated home programming!
MEET_________
He entered the outreach program 3 years ago. He has seizures that before they were controlled left him with paralysis on 1 side of his body. He had difficulty walking and using his 1 hand when he came. After completing Constraint Induced Movement Therapy and group therapy with an intense home program he can now run, ride a bike, jump and use his affected hand as an assist and can complete play with both hands. It is exciting seeing the results of his families hared work and dedication to his therapy!
MEET______
She came to the program when she was a infant and had clubfeet. She had clubfoot surgery at a year old and then had follow up therapy to learn to walk, run and balance. She has come so far! I had the joy of watching her walk down the isle for preschool graduation and now for therapy graduation!
He entered the outreach program 3 years ago. He has seizures that before they were controlled left him with paralysis on 1 side of his body. He had difficulty walking and using his 1 hand when he came. After completing Constraint Induced Movement Therapy and group therapy with an intense home program he can now run, ride a bike, jump and use his affected hand as an assist and can complete play with both hands. It is exciting seeing the results of his families hared work and dedication to his therapy! They came 4-5 hour round trip each time he came for therapy. Now that is dedication!
MEET
He entered the outreach program 3 years ago. He has seizures that before they were controlled left him with paralysis on 1 side of his body. He had difficulty walking and using his 1 hand when he came. After completing Constraint Induced Movement Therapy and group therapy with an intense home program he can now run, ride a bike, jump and use his affected hand as an assist and can complete play with both hands. It is exciting seeing the results of his families hared work and dedication to his therapy!
MEET______
The Ceremony was full of special music, a great message, and then each child coming to receive there diploma and me sharing how far they have come.
HOPE YOU ENJOYED GETTING TO EXPERIENCE GRADUATION THROUGH THESE PICTURES! IT TRULY WAS AN INCREDIBLE DAY!!!!
ps. yesterday I bought decorations for this years graduation. We already have 14 kids on the list and still 6 months and 2 more groups of outreach to possibly have graduates from. EXCITED!
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