The Roberts Family
• Casey and her husband
• Shawn Devin, age 3
• Nicholas, age 18 months
“Casey Roberts has become an exceptional mother in a very short amount of time,” says nominator and occupational therapist, Emily Beddow. Casey and her husband started the process for a typical adoption a few years ago only to learn that Devin was receiving therapeutic services through Early Intervention. At the time they didn’t know anything about Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome, a rare disorder of brain development that causes moderate to severe intellectual disability and problems with movement like low muscle tone, poor head and trunk control, and spasticity.
Today, Casey Roberts is a wonderful stay-at-home mother to Devin and she and her husband are currently foster parents to (and hoping to adopt) his younger biological brother, Nicholas.
The couple is extremely supportive of Schreiber Pediatric and recently sponsored a weeklong Constraint Induced Movement Therapy training for a Schreiber therapist in order to make the treatment available for families here in Lancaster County and the surrounding areas.
What has been one of the biggest challenges for you as a mother of a child with special needs?
The biggest challenge for me is wondering if I am doing enough to help him be the best he can be. It’s sometimes difficult to tell what Devin is thinking or needs. I want to make sure he has all of the chances to be happy and successful.
What has been one of the most rewarding moments?
Seeing his wonderful smile and hearing his deep belly laugh. It can help make anything going wrong that day not matter for a moment.
What activities do you enjoy doing with your child?
Devin loves the outdoors! Together we enjoy walks, swinging, and swimming.
What does Schreiber Pediatric mean to you?
Schreiber has been our saving grace. We have had a great experience with the therapists. They always have new suggestions on what we should be working on with Devin and answer any questions we might have.
In addition to our at-home treatment, we attend aquatic therapy at the Center which Devin truly enjoys. We have also taken advantage of the respite program. This is a great opportunity for us to have some time to ourselves since our extended family lives some distance away. Devin has also recently been enrolled in Schreiber’s preschool program which is a great opportunity for him to be in a classroom with children of all abilities, socialize, work with his therapists, and have fun away from home. |
The Vaughan Family
• Jennifer and her husband
• Jim Carter, age 7
• Owen, age 4
Jennifer Vaughan is a familiar face around Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center. Her son, Carter, who was born with Down Syndrome, receives physical, occupational and speech-language therapy at the Center, and currently participates in the recreation programs. However, her presence is often for other reasons like volunteering for special events, lending a hand in the daycare, and even bringing the staff lunch as a way to say ‘thank you’ for everything they do. “It’s time we recognize [Jennifer] for all the things she does,” said nominator and occupational therapist, Becky Smith.
What has been one of the biggest challenges for you as a mother of a child with special needs?
I think the biggest challenge with Carter so far has been his language delay. He has come a long way but there was a time when he wasn’t able to tell us what he wanted. It was so frustrating for him. The good news is that with maturity and help from his teachers and therapists he has overcome much of that obstacle at home.
What has been one of the most rewarding moments?
It’s hard to choose a particular moment that has been especially rewarding with Carter. Each and every milestone just seems so special because it often takes him a little longer than most kids to reach it. He has helped us to appreciate the small things in life that some others take for granted.
Something else that has been rewarding for me, as the mother of a child with special needs, is watching the relationship develop between Carter and his brother, Owen. Carter has helped Owen grow into a child who is accepting of other children, regardless of their abilities. Individuals with that quality are crucial in creating an inclusive community.
What activities do you enjoy doing with your child?
Carter and I love to snuggle. We also read books, watch movies, and participate in the occasional dance party together.
What does Schreiber Pediatric mean to you?
Schreiber has been there for us since Carter was just a few months old. Over the years the staff has become like a family to us. They give our family support and do their best to help Carter reach his full potential. I can’t imagine what life would be like without the Center. |
The Campbell Family
• Jennifer and her husband
• Nathan Lucas, age 3
• Baby Girl (born Nov '11)
Lucas Campbell was born profoundly deaf. At the age of twelve months Lucas got his first cochlear implant and just shy of his third birthday Lucas received his second cochlear implant. As a result of his hearing loss, he has gross motor delays and balance issues. He also has a heart defect.
Jennifer Campbell was nominated by Schreiber speech therapist, Dorlas Riley, because of her dedication to bringing sound and language into her son’s life since he was diagnosed as an infant. Early on she researched available technology and networked with other families and since Lucas received his cochlear implant she has worked non-stop to build a hearing-and language-rich environment. She has also acted as a mentor to other families and has started a parent support group.
What has been one of the biggest challenges for you as a mother of a child with special needs?
One of my biggest challenges as a mother of a child with special needs is focusing on the present. It’s really scary not knowing what the future holds for your child.
What has been one of the most rewarding moments?
One of the most rewarding moments was seeing Lucas react to sound for the very first time when his cochlear implant was activated. It was a moment that I had been waiting for for an entire year.
What activities do you enjoy doing with your child?
I enjoy reading with Lucas and especially singing. After his diagnosis I thought he might never talk, let alone sing. His sweet voice warms my heart every time I hear it. I like to teach him new songs. I also enjoy taking him on adventures to experience new things and expand his vocabulary.
What does Schreiber Pediatric mean to you?
Schreiber Pediatric means hope to me. We have been working with his speech therapist at Schreiber since he was 6 months old. When I think of Schreiber, I think of her, and I am forever grateful for the hope that she has given me over the past 3 years—hope that Lucas would be able to hear, hope that Lucas would learn to speak, that the sky is the limit and the future is bright for our little boy. She has given me the tools to help him succeed. And he is far exceeding our expectations. |
The Stover Family
• Julie and her husband
• Christian Samuel, age 8
• William, age 6 ½
• Katherine, age 3 ½
“Julie is one of the most patient and loving mothers I know,” says nominator and speech therapist, Laurie Campbell. “Her son, Sam, has had a very difficult road from the beginning….and Julie faithfully brings him to therapy and follows up with all suggestions.”
In 2003, Julie Stover was 20 weeks pregnant with twins when she was diagnosed with Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome. Sam is the survivor of that horrible disease. Born at 28 weeks and weighing just 1 lb.7ounces, he spent his first 6 months at Hershey Medical Center and remained at home on a ventilator until he was 2 ½ years old. A fighter, Sam continues to have developmental delays but is catching up with his peers everyday.
The Stover family calls Schreiber their second home. Sam receives occupational and speech therapy and attends Camp Schreiber and is involved in other recreational programs. His brother and sister have both attended the STARS preschool and inclusional daycare. You can even find Sam’s grandpa volunteering around the Center and the entire Stover family at Schreiber special events!
What has been one of the biggest challenges for you as a mother of a child with special needs?
All moms want their kids to be accepted. I think that concern is magnified when you are a mom with a special needs child.
What has been one of the most rewarding moments?
What has been most rewarding is seeing Sam’s fighting spirit push him to reach milestones that come so easily to a typical child. The first time he hit a baseball with a bat, I cried. The first time he sang “America the Beautiful,” I cried. The first time he brought home a picture of his hand, I cried. All of these achievements are touching to all moms, but when your child has to work harder than anyone else, these achievements can move mountains.
What activities do you enjoy doing with your child?
Sam loves when all five of us are together and is very close to his siblings. I especially love our cuddle time before bed.
What does Schreiber Pediatric mean to you?
My husband and I have often said that we could not imagine what our or Sam’s life would be like without Schreiber. It is a place where kids with special needs can go and feel completely accepted. It’s a place where parents can go and feel supported. The therapists are talented, creative, and hardworking. The staff cheers for the kids as loud as we do. Chris and I and members of our extended family feel very strongly about Schreiber’s importance in our community; not just for Sam, but for all of the kids they serve. There is just no other place like it. |
The Loucks Family
• Charity and her husband
• Thomas Delaney, age 12
• Brady & Dylan, age 8 (twins)
Sweet, kind, gentle, devoted—those are just a few words used to describe Schreiber Mom Charity Loucks. All three of her children receive therapy services at the Center for ADHD, Autism, Coordinator Disorder and sensory issues, and every single one of her children’s therapists say she is dedicated to helping them achieve their utmost potential. Charity is always looking for new ways to carryover therapy goals into her family’s daily routine and is often found in the waiting room promoting conversation among the parents to share ideas about raising children with special needs.
“Charity deserves some special recognition for the countless hours she puts in toward improving her kids’ futures. Having three children with special needs she does not get much time for herself and she deserves it,” says therapist and nominator, Kim Martin.
What has been one of the biggest challenges for you as a mother of a child with special needs?
All three of my children have special needs so one of my biggest challenges as a mother is to be sure that I’m the best advocate that I can be for each one of them. Sometimes it seems that just when I have one situation addressed, a new one presents itself! It can be overwhelming at times.
What has been one of the most rewarding moments?
In this journey I have learned to appreciate each little accomplishment so it’s hard to choose just one rewarding moment! However, when I think back, Dylan’s progress stands out the most. He spoke no words at age 3 so when he could say “Mom” for the first time, my heart melted! Since then, the words have just kept coming and now he doesn’t stop talking!
What activities do you enjoy doing with your child?
We enjoy playing board games, competing on the Wii, reading, and having movie nights. We also love to be outside! We enjoy the pool, going to the park and beach, taking care of our flowers, and going to the library. We also like to be with friends!
What does Schreiber Pediatric mean to you?
When I walked thru Schreiber’s front door 8 years ago, I felt truly hopeless! It was a lonely, frightening journey that my husband and I had been on up until that point. We did not know what to do next. The staff at Schreiber taught us that there was hope and if we worked as a team with them, our children would grow in leaps and bounds! When people tell me that I’ve done a great job with my children, I’m quick to say that I’ve always had a great team of people in their lives helping us! To me, Schreiber means hope! |
