http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=77291&catid=35 WLTX did a fabulous job capturing the spirit of the program and the need to expand Conductive Education to year-round for more children AND to build The Therapy Place facility to serve many more children with innovative programs as well as traditional therapies - all under one roof! Help us build the roof by purchasing a t-shirt or koozie at www.thetherapyplace.org/sales.html or donate online, share our mission with a friend, etc! Thanks to everyone for watching as we have rounded out an amazing journey with our five-week Conductive Education program. Erika and Peter Bartos have been incredible and we have been so impressed with their love for the children, their patience and kindness as they help each child move to a level of more independence and strength.

Here are some photos captured by my good friend, Mary Ellen Shaffer, also Children's Ministry director at Trenholm Rd UMC.

We are a bit sad that www.trinitysc.org Trinity Center for Mission & Ministry did not get the recognition that they so richly deserve for loaning us such an incredible space for these children to thrive! Each news story has been focused on the children and the program, as it should be, but we want folks to know, too, that Trinity loaned us the space and we could NOT have asked for a better facility - we are still in awe of this contribution to the cause. We had pictured a sleazy strip mall and paying top dollar for it!

If you get a chance, please go check out the amazing center on the corner of 1123 Marion Street. Roger Hutchison is the direct of children's ministries and of the Center and would be MORE THAN happy to show you around the facility (right, Roger?) We have enjoyed getting to know the staff and parishioners at Trinity through our stay. The part that did not make the WLTX news story is Roger's comments about how much he will miss seeing the kids each day. He talked about the dismal weather this morning and knowing he was going to walk into work to see some amazing kids making some wonderful progress and how important that work is and how uplifting it is to witness...(right, Roger?) It brought tears to my eyes - maybe Sydney Cummins (WLTX) will give us a copy of the raw footage??? (Sydney?)

without further delay...here are today's pics!

A Funny

The space at the Trinity Center for Mission & Ministry that is being loaned to us is phenomenal! Right across the hall from the room we are using is a walking track. Down below the track (2nd floor) is the gym that is being used temporarily as the sanctuary for Trinity Episcopal Cathedral while they are renovating their permanent sanctuary. The gym is open to the track above. Today, as Peter went to open the door to the track, not realizing the weekday morning service was still going on below, Adia was passing by behind him and the open door and decided to scream out with excitement (we think she has a crush on him) and the ladies in the sanctuary below looked up to see poor Peter with no place to hide and there was no point in trying to explain...the damage was done so he exited as quitely as he could...Roger, the director of the Center, hasn't mentioned this mishap to us yet...hopefully we aren't being kicked out yet. :)

Cameron is Bookin!

See Cameron's major improvement since the last YouTube video! He is truly an inspiration to watch. He LOVES to show off for us each day at 12 when it is time to walk out! and I LOVE to watch him!

Lots of visitors...made the news again!

Today we had lots of visitors including 2 families interested in the Conductive Education program for their children. We told them we are doing our best to get the word out to let potential funders know of the need. Please keep your fingers crossed and keep praying!

Hope you saw the front page story in Columbia Star...Carson, Adia and Clara are STARS! Pam Edwards did a great job telling our story! We want to make sure we thank Trinity Center for Mission and Ministry of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral for hosting our program for these 5 weeks and we hope that our permanent facility is half as nice as their place is!

Duncan walking the ropes!

Wow, look at Duncan go!

Afternoon class on Thursday

Wow, big moments this afternoon, Duncan showing off for Pop-Pop...walking in the ropes!

Cooper doing crab-walking...

lying on the plinth table and pulling the upper body up...



Carson used the potty!!!!!!!! FIRST TIME! WAHOO!

okay, so we don't have video or photos of that, Tana is appreciative, I'm sure! ;)

Nyla showing off after walking the balance beams...

What a day!

The morning class did some very impressive fingerpainting! Roger Hutchison better watch out!

Cameron's masterpiece!

The kids had a great day...

putting shirts on...

Adia is reaching to give Peter a high five to stretch her shirt on her arm.

Clara is working on walking out...she had a great day...both grandma's were there today...mom was busy with baby Dolan that was just born yesterday!

Adia is walking! and laughing!

Nyla helping Carson scoot off the table

Adia

Clara

Nyla and Carson

Jessica

Cameron

Press and parties

Another terrific day. The Columbia Star is coming by on Friday to take pictures and write a story about the program. We are very excited about the opportunity to get the word out that these 8 children are definitely not the only ones in Columbia in need of such a program. Our goal remains to run the program year-round in a facility that is also home to "traditional" PT, OT and speech as well as bringing other innovative therapies to Columbia.





We would like to thank Jr League of Columbia for their contribution through the "Done in a Day" project. The project is our culminating graduation party for these hard-working kids! Also, Chick-fil-A is providing trays of nuggets and fruit. The support is always so amazing when you explain the cause.

We sent out an e-mail inviting folks to come tour the program and will be focusing on some potential funders, partners and decision-makers. Hopefully they, too, will see the potential for these children to benefit from The Therapy Place's programs.

Until tomorrow...

About time we created a blog, eh?

So, we've done the whole Facebooking bit...but we thought a blog would capture the little moments of the kids a bit easier than the constant posting that can be a little annoying...so when you need a little pick-me-up, just come here and let this be your window into the wonderful world that Susan and I are so lucky to witness on a daily basis....for instance...


Did you know that Carson is an Elmo fan? Yes, we had to put a sheet over the stuffed Elmo dolls to keep him on task. He likes them THAT much. He even has an Elmo potty chair.




And Adia, her dad admits she is a bit spoiled, but then what little girl is not spoiled by her daddy, right? She even wears the shirt to prove it! (Daddy's girl!)



And Clara - her grandma is helping with her each morning because her mom is having baby #2 TOMORROW morning! (Wed, July 22). They are certainly in our prayers!



Jessica has really calmed down and taken to the class. Her big brother and cousin are filling in this week as mom goes back to work...it really is a family affair!


Duncan has taken to putting on his own socks! And we've enjoyed his zebra, cow and other animal printed socks but unfortunately he has outgrown them so we are hoping that mom will surprise us with a new batch of fun socks next week when she buys the next size up!



So, that will have to be it for tonight but check back for daily postings of the crazy antics of these very special children! Signing off for tonight...Dawn