For two-year-old Reina, the best part of her weekly First Steps Early Intervention therapies during COVID-19 isn’t just that she gets to keep seeing her friends, Occupational Therapist Laura-Jean Page and Physical Therapist Kristen Quigley.
Of course, they’re always fun, but now there’s something even cooler: They’re on TV!
At least that’s what it looks like when her mom Janae turns on the computer to start the therapy session. Because Janae asked that the therapies be held simultaneously, everyone can hear and see each other.
From the OT standpoint, Reina is working on feeding herself with her spoon and imitating simple actions. PT goals are focused on things like kicking a ball, going on tip toes and taking steps.
Of course, Reina just thinks they’re having fun together. Born with Down syndrome, she began First Steps therapies through Noble’s Kids Only First Steps service when she was just three months old.
Now that she’s about to turn three years old, she will transition out of services soon: something that makes all of them sad. Well, it would if Reina understood that she won’t be seeing her First Steps friends regularly anymore. However, after the bonds they’ve forged, there’s a good chance that they will find opportunities to reconnect!
Despite COVID-19, Noble has been providing a number of services to the individuals who rely on us, using virtual technology like Telehealth to provide critical therapies so kids like Reina continue to make developmental progress. Music, Behavior and Recreational Therapies also lend themselves well to this kind of remote service, while Employment Supports can be provided through a variety of technologies.
We’re also using Zoom Meetings to help individuals stay connected, alleviate social isolation and help maintain mental health. Of course, we’re still providing Community Living and in-home Respite and PAC as needed. Our work strengthens the fabric of our community, but we can only do so with your support.
There’s only 6 days left until #GivingTuesdayNow, and we hope we can count on you on May 5 when our community will come together to support organizations like Noble that have been hit hard by the impact of COVID-19.
In the meantime, if you need our help, please email us or give us a call at 317-679-5952.
Together, we will help our entire community #DreamItLiveIt every single day!
