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When it comes to his care at Gillette Children’s, it’s been a family affair for Maverick Taylor—in more ways than one.
Maverick, now four, began showing signs of torticollis—a condition that causes the head to tilt due to muscle contraction—at six months old. He started physical therapy, where his therapist noticed low muscle tone in other areas. By age one, Maverick had missed milestones like crawling and rolling over. His mom, Kimberly, searched for answers.
A visit to Maverick’s pediatrician, a follow-up appointment with a neurologist, and an MRI for more information all led to one diagnosis: spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. Kimberly reached out to Gillette to establish a care plan for Maverick.
At his first appointment at Gillette's Willmar clinic with physical medicine and rehabilitation physician Andrea Paulson, MD, MPH, Maverick was set up with physical and occupational therapy and sent home with equipment to build strength and mobility. He was also referred for leg braces through Gillette’s Orthotics and Prosthetics team.
A Familiar Face Helps Build Trust
It was at this appointment that everything came full circle for Kimberly. “When we met with Maverick’s orthotics and prosthetics practitioner, Ross Huebner, something felt so familiar,” she says.
Sure enough, the Ross helping Maverick with his leg braces was the same Ross who helped Kimberly with a back brace for scoliosis at Gillette’s St. Paul campus years ago. Kimberly thought, “If I could trust this person with myself, I can definitely trust them with my child.”
With a supportive care team, Kimberly balanced appointments while working with Maverick’s preschool to ensure he could use his equipment and stay included in activities.
High-Intensity Outpatient Therapy Provides a Boost
Even with support, using equipment was challenging, and attempts at walking often ended in tears. On Dr. Paulson’s recommendation, Maverick began high-intensity outpatient therapy at Gillette’s St. Paul campus.
“Maverick is a bright kid, and I suspected he could build confidence with short, focused therapy sessions,” says Dr. Paulson.
During therapy, Maverick participated in pool sessions, used an adaptive bike, practiced stairs, worked toward independent steps, and conquered his biggest challenge of all: his walker.
“Right off the bat, Maverick’s physical therapist said, ‘We’re going to make a lap around the building’, and Maverick had a meltdown right away,” Kimberly recalls. “His therapists asked what he likes – things like Cars and Paw Patrol – and incorporated those into a scavenger hunt to encourage him to take steps. Maverick responded!”
Another key to Maverick’s outpatient therapy success was seeing other kids in the hospital using walkers, wheelchairs, and other assistive devices to help them move. Up to that point, he was often the only kid in school and in his small hometown to use them, and that could be hard on him.
“The biggest change I saw in Maverick after inpatient therapy was that he suddenly wanted to use his walker. It was hard and frustrating for him before, but now he has better control and tries to be more independent,” says Kimberly.
Maverick (center) with his brother, Luke (left), and his mom, Kimberly (right)
Bringing It Home—and Back Again
Looking ahead, Maverick will keep working toward new goals, returning to Gillette’s Willimar Clinic in between to get the physical medicine and rehabilitation care he needs to move and play. He looks forward to getting an adaptive bike – a crucial (and fun!) part of his therapy and something he can keep at school to use during colder months.
“If you’re feeling stranded, frustrated, and in need of new ideas, outpatient rehab is a great way to get other input and to learn from others’ experiences and knowledge,” Kimberly shares. “They gave us resources we can use, no matter where we are. We’re using these tools with our therapists at home, too.”
Meanwhile, Maverick’s older brother Luke has also become a Gillette patient, with his care team monitoring a spinal curvature.
“Gillette feels like home, at the Willmar clinic and at the hospital in St. Paul,” Kimberly says. “And it’s nice to see the same people working for Gillette all these years. Gillette must be doing something right!”
Maverick is a Jessie Club Ambassador. He’s connecting with other Gillette kids and families, and sharing his story to boost awareness of and support for our mission. To learn more about supporting Gillette's mission, become a Jessie’s Club member.
