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gillette STORIES Topic: Rehabilitation

Home / Kids Health Matters / Topic: Rehabilitation
Bones
December 28, 2022

Joslyn Jane, Joy and Cerebral Palsy 

Joslyn Jane Rogers is a cheerful, enthusiastic 11-year-old. She has many interests including reading, gaming, swimming and baseball. Joslyn also has cerebral palsy (CP) and she's been a patient at Gillette Children’s since she was 1. 
Injuries
Gillette Children
August 31, 2022

What are Common Causes and Signs of Seizures in Children?

Gillette Children’s has a comprehensive team of pediatric neurologists to help parents and guardians understand the common causes and signs of seizures in children. These Gillette specialists work with families and primary care providers to ensure children get an expert, first seizure evaluation and a treatment plan if it’s needed.
Bones
July 13, 2022

How Physical Therapy Helps Teens With Scheuermann’s Kyphosis

Scheuermann’s disease, also known as Scheuermann’s kyphosis, is a condition where a child’s spine has too much of a curve. This typically happens during periods of accelerated growth or puberty.
Rehabilitation
June 21, 2022

Vang Helps Patients Achieve Independence

New Gillette Children’s adult nurse practitioner, Pang Vang, says she’s driven to help all patients achieve a better quality of life. She's part of Gillette's physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) team and her philosophy of care centers on building relationships.
Bones
May 18, 2022

How Occupational Therapy Helps Children Recovering From Spinal Cord Injuries

Whether your child is recovering from a spinal cord injury or they have just had spinal surgery, rehabilitation is key. What many families may not realize is that there are many forms of spinal cord rehabilitation. One that is often forgotten is occupational therapy.
Bones
April 28, 2022

Occupational Therapists Build Independence

When you come to Gillette Children’s you’ll collaborate with one of the nation’s top providers of pediatric inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation therapies. Gillette Children’s has occupational therapists throughout the Twin Cities metro area in our St. Paul, Phalen, Burnsville and Maple Grove clinic locations. Gillette also provides access, if appropriate, to children throughout the region through virtual appointments.
Bones
April 27, 2022

Answering Common Questions About Scoliosis Bracing for Kids and Teens

From fashion advice to practical tips for skin irritation, we answer the common questions kids and teens have about wearing scoliosis bracing.
Injuries
April 5, 2022

The ArmeoSpring Makes Intense Therapy Seem Like Play

April is Occupational Therapy (OT) month and Gillette is highlighting the amazing work our OT team does every day to help our patients increase their independence with daily activities. Gillette is one of the only pediatric health care centers to have an ArmeoSpring machine. Our occupational therapists use this robotic exoskeleton to assist patients who are building strength as the result of trauma, cerebral palsy, neuromuscular conditions or stroke.
Cerebral Palsy
March 31, 2022

Super Sam and Cerebral Palsy

At Target Field, every Sunday is Kid’s Day and on a beautiful summer day in August of 2019, Samuel Anastos scored the first honorary run of a Minnesota Twins game. It was a joyous moment made all the more meaningful because there was a time in Sam’s life when his parents questioned whether he would learn to walk or talk, much less run.
Cerebral Palsy
March 22, 2022

Sophia Soars: A 700-Mile Journey to Treat a Daughter’s Cerebral Palsy

"Every step Sophia takes is a testament to the countless dedicated individuals who made it possible." Sophia and her family traveled from Arkansas to Minnesota for several major surgeries to treat her cerebral palsy.
Bones
March 9, 2022

Overuse Injuries In Children: What You Need To Know

A 2013 study by the American Journal of Sports Medicine determined that kids who play one sport for 8 or more months a year are almost three times more likely to experience an overuse injury. At Gillette Children’s, our providers, nurses and staff are here to help treat overuse injuries in children of all ages and backgrounds. 
Cerebral Palsy
March 8, 2022

Here’s Why Gillette is the Best at Providing Cerebral Palsy Care

For 125 years the doctors, nurses and employees at Gillette have worked every day to provide the very best care for all children. This dedication has led to treatments and outcomes that have influenced cerebral palsy care worldwide. 
Community
March 3, 2022

Paralympics and Pure Grit

The Paralympic Games are underway in Beijing, China. More than 650 athletes are competing with five Para athletes from Minnesota. These Games are an opportunity to highlight people successfully living with a disability. "Pure Grit," a book from Gillette Children's Healthcare Press, echoes this theme and changes the preconceived notions about what is possible for people who have a disability.
Community
February 23, 2022

How Our Music Therapy Program Helps Children Cope With Hospital Stays

Music therapy helps manage pain, helps a child adjust to a hospital environment, provides positive emotional experiences, and promotes comfort and relaxation.
Community
February 17, 2022

Why Adaptive Skiing Matters

The 12th Annual Gillette Children's Adaptive Ski Day was an opportunity for children who have disabilities to discover the thrill of downhill skiing. Marcie Ward, MD, is a Gillette pediatric rehabilitation medicine physician and says these adaptive sports events bring joy and can transform children and families.
Movement
February 3, 2022

Gillette Helps Athletes with Paralympic Dreams

Gillette Children's provides support and resources to help kids achieve their athletic goals. Our therapeutic recreation specialists take pride in helping kids improve their strength and flexibility while having the fun experience of playing sports.
COVID-19
January 25, 2022

Help at Home with Gillette Virtual Rehab

You and your child can have access to the same trusted team of Gillette Children’s physical, occupational, and speech/language therapists from the safety and comfort of your own home. Thanks to technology and expanded access, Gillette Children’s has improved our virtual rehab therapy program.
Rehabilitation
January 19, 2022

What Our CARF Accreditation Means For You and Your Child’s Care

We're one of the best children's hospitals in the U.S. because of our commitment to international standards of person-centered care as outlined by CARF.
Bones
January 2, 2022

Our Iron Butterfly: My New Year’s Resolution for My Daughter and Our Family

I have always said that the only thing that I want for Peyton is for her to be able to “create her own story.” I want her to tell us what she is capable of doing and not let anyone believe less of her.
Brain
December 30, 2021

An Ordinary Day and an Extraordinary Recovery from TBI

Caleb Binkert wrapped up a preholiday evening shift as a cashier at a Target in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota on November 6, 2020. He put on his bike helmet, his reflective clothing and started biking home around 9:30pm. Caleb, 17, does not remember anything from that day as he rode through a crosswalk to continue his journey home. In an instant his life changed.
Brain
December 27, 2021

Aaron’s Cerebral Palsy Odyssey

Aaron Navarro is a teenager from Grandview, Texas. He's an active member of his high school debate team and runs 5K races (even though he’ll tell you that running isn’t his favorite thing). His mother, Christine, will tell you that the fact that he is running at all is nothing short of remarkable.
Patient Stories
December 10, 2021

Chloe and Gracie, Connected by Friendship, a Bridge and Spina Bifida

Today we're sharing the story of Chloe and Gracie, two longtime Gillette patients connected by their shared condition of spina bifida, but much more important than that, their profound friendship. 
Bones
December 1, 2021

Skeletal Dysplasia in Children

Learn about skeletal dysplasia, a genetic disorder that causes abnormally shaped bones, especially in the head, spine and bones of the arms and legs.
Cerebral Palsy
November 30, 2021

The Journey of Mateo Arcos: Hope, Love and Cerebral Palsy

As he ambles down a long hospital hallway, smiling with every step and practically daring you to do the same, it can be pretty easy to forget that this wasn't supposed to happen. Mateo Arcos was never supposed to walk.
Bones
November 18, 2021

Access and Excellence Across Minnesota

Gillette Children's is committed to providing access and excellence in health care to children throughout Minnesota. National Rural Health Day is November 18th and an opportunity to celebrate the community-minded spirit of rural American and to highlight health care providers who keep people living in these areas healthy. Although we’re headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, Gillette has clinics throughout the state in locations such as Alexandria, Baxter, Bemidji, Duluth, Mankato, St. Cloud and Willmar.
Brain
November 16, 2021

Richie Rises: One Family’s Epilepsy Journey

"Anyone who has spent as much time in doctor’s offices or waiting rooms as we have knows how frustrating it can be to start from square one when discussing your child’s medical condition. When you’re at Gillette, you never need to do that. I can’t even begin to tell you how much that means.” -Trisha Irvin
Rare Conditions
October 20, 2021

Bennett and Spina Bifida

It’s funny, you never know at the time when you’re living the day that will change your life forever. But that’s what happened to me the day I met a boy named Bennett.
Patient Stories
October 15, 2021

A Medical Journey That Begins with ZaLayaa

ZaLayaa Wandrick is 9 years old. She’s an excellent cook, crafter and loves science, soccer and coding, but for much of her life, has had to deal with multiple sensory and complex medical conditions. Since her infancy, Zalayaa has endured a variety of different symptoms that have impacted her daily life, but perhaps the most frustrating thing about all of it has been that the underlying cause of these issues remained a mystery.
Rehabilitation
October 12, 2021

Gillette Physical Therapists Share Personal Stories

Gillette is one of the nation’s top providers of pediatric inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. October is National Physical Therapy Month and a time to learn more about a few members of the Gillette PT team. A few of our physical therapists share their personal stories of what inspired them to enter the field and moments with patients they'll never forget.
Pediatrics
September 7, 2021

Abby is a Paralympian and a Bronze Medalist

If to be inspiring is based upon who you are, what you do and how you make those around you feel, then Abby is precisely that and more. That’s probably why she’s a Paralympian. Abby and her team took home the Bronze Medal at the 2021 Paralympic Games.
Rehabilitation
August 26, 2021

Past and Future Paralympic Athletes Get Care at Gillette

The Paralympic Games are underway in Tokyo. Gillette Children's has a history of encouraging all people to participate in sports. Our strong therapeutic recreation program helps children find opportunities to stay physically active. The benefits of consistent physical activity include better weight control, improved heart and muscle strength and the opportunity to make new friends.
Rare Conditions
May 28, 2021

A Parent/Therapist Partnership Helps Maya Find Her Voice

Communication is important to a good overall quality of life. The team approach to care at Gillette Children's means an occupational therapist, a speech language pathologist and experts in orthotics, prosthetics and seating (OPS) work with families to help children communicate and socialize. When 6-year-old Maya was diagnosed with INAD, a rare, genetic disorder, her parents and a team of Gillette experts helped Maya find her voice.
Cerebral Palsy
April 28, 2021

Inch by Inch: My Cerebral Palsy Journey

When I was 2 years old, I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Now, I'm 23. I've faced many challenges in my life, but I think my dad said it best, "Inch by inch, life's a cinch. Yard by yard, life's hard." You can't get too caught up trying to project what the end result might be, all you can do is try to deal with the challenge in front of you, and move forward.
Cerebral Palsy
March 28, 2021

Why I’m Here: For My Brother, for My Patients

When I work with my patients at Gillette, I try not to impose my story and my “why” on them and their families. But inevitably, it comes up. My younger brother, Peter has cerebral palsy. He’s why I do what I do and why I’m here. I’m immensely proud of him and grateful to have had the privilege of being his sister.
Cerebral Palsy
March 24, 2021

Cerebral Palsy Care During COVID

When COVID first came to Minnesota and things started shutting down, we were concerned that our son, Wes, who is 8 Years old and has cerebral palsy, would not get the care that he would need. But that hasn’t been our experience.
Cerebral Palsy
March 3, 2021

Pink, Unicorns and SDR Surgery

March is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. Gillette Children’s is the world-renowned leader in the treatment of cerebral palsy. We enhance the lives of individuals who have cerebral palsy and promote their well-being by improving diagnosis, management, and care through research, innovation, and collaboration. The Harkness family shares their story of why selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery at Gillette was the best choice for their daughter.
Cerebral Palsy
March 1, 2021

Gillette is a World Leader in CP Care

March is National Cerebral Palsy (CP) Awareness Month and Gillette Children's is one of the world’s leading centers for cerebral palsy diagnosis, treatment and research. We enhance the lives of individuals who have cerebral palsy and are advocates for CP patients and research.
Patient Stories
February 26, 2021

Ethan Glides, With a Little Help from His Friends

Ethan Johnson was diagnosed with a rare condition as an infant. His parents were told he may never walk without assistance. Now seven years old, not only does he walk, he flies out on the ice. Read Ethan's story here.
Rehabilitation
February 17, 2021

The Importance of Wearing a Helmet While Sledding

On January 5, Amer and his son Ismail, 4, were out sledding on the hill just minutes from their home in St. Louis Park. It was a small hill, but there were a few trees at the bottom. On Ismail's final run of the day, what began as a fun outing turned into any parent's nightmare.
Innovation and Research
January 26, 2021

Promise Found: Peyton’s Halo-Gravity Traction Journey

The ability to stand up straight is something that most of us take for granted. Peyton's family can tell you how the ability to stand upright, transformationally changed her view of the world. Read more about the surgery that made it possible.
Rehabilitation
January 21, 2021

Gillette Provides a Higher Level of Care for Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

January is National Winter Sports Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Awareness Month. Prevention and precaution are the keys to staying safe and minimizing injuries. If your child does become injured the team at Gillette Children's has a higher level of training to deal with pediatric TBIs.
Bones
Boy sledding in the snow during winter.
January 5, 2021

No Helmet, No Slide: Wear a Helmet While Sledding

Going sledding is fun, but it can also be dangerous. Wearing a helmet makes it safer.
Rehabilitation
December 2, 2020

Better Access and More Services at the Core of Changes at Gillette

Gillette Children's is making changes to help more families have more convenient access to our expert care and to better serve our community. Our newly renovated Maple Grove Clinic opened Dec. 1, 2020 and means Gillette can provide more services and offer coordinated and comprehensive care in one location in the West Metro area.
Bones
October 26, 2020

The Miracle of Owen

Owen Nei is 11 years old, an avid hockey and baseball player, and a young man who lights up every room he’s in with his positive, irrepressible attitude. Given how his life started out, the fact that he’s even here, much less doing all of these things, is nothing short of a miracle.
Cerebral Palsy
September 18, 2020

Grady’s Grit: Cerebral Palsy and Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) Surgery

"Grady’s so much more than his condition. The way we see it is that God gave us this incredibly cool kid who’s had to deal with a few things. We've had challenges, but life is good even when stuff is hard. Either way, because of Gillette and the care they provide, Grady's future will be whatever he decides it to be. That’s no small thing.”
Pediatrics
September 17, 2020

Meet Laurie Black, Gillette’s New Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Greater Minnesota

Take a moment to learn about Laurie Black, APRN, PNP, who joined Gillette this month to serve patients in greater Minnesota as part of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation team.
Cerebral Palsy
July 29, 2020

Turning Can’t Into Can Since 2011: Peter’s Cerebral Palsy Journey

In all the ways that matter, Peter is your typical 8-year-old. He’s a protective older brother to his younger sister Katie, loves cars, sports and Star Wars. He’s easy to smile, quick to laugh and brings joy to all who meet him. When you’re in Peter’s presence, the fact that he has cerebral palsy and can’t speak, quickly becomes an afterthought.
Patient Stories
July 14, 2020

Every Day, Better and Stronger: Matthew’s Recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury

Matthew suffered a traumatic brain injury 15 years ago. After the treatment at Gillette that saved his life, he’s had a singular goal: To live every day, better and stronger. As he says, “It’s not about what I lost, it’s about what I’m getting back.”
Cerebral Palsy
May 28, 2020

Gillette Children’s Healthcare Press Brings the Personal and Medical to Parents

Gillette Children's has launched a new resource to help parents of children who have complex, rare or traumatic conditions. The first book released by the new Gillette Children’s Healthcare Press is Spastic Diplegia—Bilateral Cerebral Palsy and it’s written by Lily Collison, an Ireland-based author and the mother of a Gillette patient.
Cerebral Palsy
January 27, 2020

Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery Changed Sam’s Life

“It’s not an exaggeration to say deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery at Gillette changed Sam’s life,” marvels his mother Coleen Wedig. Sam Wedig, 16 and his mother first traveled to Gillette Children’s from Des Moines, Iowa in 2015 seeking help for cerebral palsy and dystonia. They’re passionate about sharing their story in the hope they can help other families dealing with similar medical challenges.
Brain
December 22, 2019

Trevor Gets Back in Action After Aneurysm

After enduring a ruptured aneurysm, doctors told Trevor's parents were told he'd never walk again. After a six-week rehabilitation stay at Gillette Children's, Trevor strode out of the hospital doors - walking independently.
Innovation and Research
Gillette patient, James Bostic
December 2, 2019

Many the Miles: Deep Brain Stimulation Gives the Gift of a Son

As loud music filled the adjoining hallways near the Neurosciences unit at Gillette Children’s, passersby could be forgiven if they were a bit confused. The atmosphere was festive and there was good reason for it. At long last, James Bostic, 17, was able to go home. He had been in the hospital for 15 months.
Rehabilitation
Caleb Sandoval on Lokomat
October 1, 2019

Robotics Can Help Train Kids to Walk: The Role of Locomotor Training in Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation therapy helps patients learn how to maximize their abilities and become familiar with new ways of moving. Locomotor training, a form of walking therapy that involves body weight support, can help eligible patients increase function in their lower extremities and improve their mobility.
Cerebral Palsy
October 1, 2019

Dear Theodora: One Family’s Cerebral Palsy Journey

There are few moments in life as exciting and anxiety-inducing as the day you have your first child, but for Andrew Bailey and his wife, Amanda, things were a bit more complicated. Amanda was home in Connecticut getting ready for her baby shower. Andrew, a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, was in Seattle for an away game.
Innovation and Research
July 17, 2019

Virtual Reality Bolsters Clinical Care at Gillette

The hospital can be a scary place for anyone, especially a child, and no matter how nice the staff is or how thoughtfully the clinical spaces are designed, it’s usually difficult for a patient to forget they’re in one. At Gillette Children’s, that’s no longer the case.
Rehabilitation
April 19, 2019

Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) Breakthrough is Good News for Gillette Patients

A researcher from the University of Minnesota has identified a virus associated with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a rare, polio-like disorder that can cause sudden paralysis in children. Most of the Minnesota children diagnosed with AFM last fall received treatment at Gillette.
Cerebral Palsy
March 27, 2019

The Long Way Round: A Look Back on my Treatment for Cerebral Palsy

When Jenna Robinson was born, she only weighed three pounds and doctors told her parents she’d never be a “rocket scientist.” Now 28, she holds a Master’s degree in social work and has dedicated her life to helping individuals lead more independent lives.
Cerebral Palsy
Wes running the bases during MN Twins game
March 21, 2019

Cerebral Palsy Won’t Slow Wes Down, He’s Unstoppable

Wes Jackson is a thoughtful, kind and inquisitive kid. He also has cerebral palsy, but he won't let that (or anything else for that matter) get in his way. Get to know Wes and his family, you'll be glad you did.
Brain
Robert Favorite as a young child on a bike
February 27, 2019

Robert’s Life with Prader-Willi Syndrome: A Rare Disease Story

For Janet Favorite, navigating her son Robert’s rare condition has been a rollercoaster, steadied by her family’s commitment to providing him with expert care and access to resources at Gillette Children’s. Read her story here.
Bones
Gillette patient, Kate Ketelhohn, who had limb lengthening procedure.
January 9, 2019

Limb-Lengthening and the Triumphant Life of Kate Ketelhohn

The day was Christmas Eve, the year was 2003 and the Ketelhohns were resting and watching a movie in their home near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was an idyllic evening, but their youngest daughter, 8-month-old, Kate, had a slight fever. It was the type of malady that many children experience throughout their development. There was no reason to worry, until there was.
Cerebral Palsy
Gillette
December 4, 2018

First of Its Kind in the Metro—Aerodigestive Clinic Provides Coordinated, Convenient Care for Families

The human body is a miraculous makeup of coordinated and interconnected systems that, when operating properly, are a wonder to behold. But when things aren’t operating correctly, this interconnectedness can cause a whole host of complications. This issue is precisely why Gillette’s Aerodigestive Clinic was established last year.
Cerebral Palsy
November 21, 2018

Surgeries Keep the Promise of Independence to Kaidyn

Learn how a selective dorsal rhizotomy and single-event multilevel surgery (SEMLS) Gillette, along with her intrinsic determination, has led to newfound independence and confidence for Kaidyn.
Brain
Old hockey photo of Landon
June 3, 2018

Letters to My Landon: A Message to My Son

Every now and again, I write a new letter to my son, Landon. It’s my testament to him. To who he was, to who he is, and to who he could someday be.
Bones
Gillette patient Bentley and his family camper trip
May 23, 2018

Bentley’s Six-Year Journey to Home (and a Shiny New Camper!)

After moving from small-town Iowa to the Twin Cities to be nearer to Gillette, Bentley’s parents describe him as a whole new child. He’s talking, reading and thriving in kindergarten, where his classmates exude kindness.
Rehabilitation
May 17, 2018

Rediscovering Ashlyn’s “Fierce” Self

When 3-year-old Ashlyn sustained life-threatening injuries in a car accident, her family worried her personality, which they call "fierce," might not return. Discover how care at the Regions-Gillette Level I Pediatric Trauma Center helped Ashlyn, and her entire family, heal.
Brain
April 27, 2018

Kids Like Tyler: Why Muscular Dystrophy Designation Matters

“Knowing that Gillette is a PPMD-certified Duchenne Care Center means the world to us because we know for certain Tyler’s getting the specialized care that he needs," says his mom, Marilyn. Meet Tyler and learn about his family's "game plan" to tackle Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Patient Stories
April 12, 2018

Lincoln is Going to be Lincoln: How I Learned To Stop Worrying About My Son With Special Needs

Parents worry. Parents worry about their child’s growth, development, friends, school, future. It’s a universal truth, baked into our biology. When a child is diagnosed with special needs, however, a parent’s worry can snowball into anxiety. That's what happened to me, but here's what I did.
Cerebral Palsy
Gillette patient Louie Romero posing in the skyway
March 12, 2018

It’s Not a Career, It’s a Calling: Bringing My Son Home

Louie Romero is a smiley kid that simply can’t help the fact that he is irrepressibly charming. It's Louie's personality that makes an impression when you meet him. The fact that he is in a wheelchair and has cerebral palsy ranks much lower on the list.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation patients by diagnosis at Gillette children
February 25, 2018

Why Rehabilitation Accreditations Matter for Patients, Families

The Gillette inpatient rehabilitation program is accredited from the prestigious Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. We also received accreditation for our pediatric brain injury specialty program. Read about the meaning behind these honors.
Cerebral Palsy
Gillette patient Kaidyn with therapy dog at Gillette.
November 16, 2017

Help Fund Animal-Assisted Therapy at Gillette Children’s

“I don’t think it would surprise anyone to learn that a lot of children love dogs,” says Emily DeBreto. “While we’ve had volunteers bring in therapeutic dogs at the hospital for comfort, we wanted to get our dogs more involved with the actual functional aspects of the therapy we’re providing.”
Brain
Gillette patient Elliot with his sister Amelia at playground
November 9, 2017

Cheering Elliot On: The Bird Family’s Life with a Rare Diagnosis

Elliot and his sister Amelia have a typical sibling relationship; they fight, they argue, they push each other’s buttons. But they have a unique relationship as well, that stems from Elliot's diagnosis with a rare chromosomal abnormality.
Patient Stories
September 27, 2017

A Message of Love, Parris Recovers From Traumatic Brain Injury

Your brain isn't like your arm. You can’t see it or touch it. It’s not really tangible, which means that we rarely spend time thinking about the thing that makes us think, unless we have to. This is what those who experience a TBI go through.
Patient Stories
September 5, 2017

Therapy Two-A-Days: Connor Tackles Recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury

Tall, red-haired and boisterous, it’s not a surprise to learn that Connor plays on the football team back in North Dakota, or that he’s pretty popular.
Cerebral Palsy
August 9, 2017

International Research Collaboration Between Hospitals Helps Treat Children Who Have Chronic Pain

Pain affects all aspects of life, but for many of us, it’s an abstract concept. But, for a moment, imagine what it would feel like to experience chronic pain for an entire month. Start with that, but now expand it out to a year—or maybe even, every day of your life.
Cerebral Palsy
July 10, 2017

She’s Katie. It’s Not What She Has, It’s Who She Is

Katie Allee takes Advanced Placement classes. She’s 15, and she’s a straight-A student. Her mind? It’s all there, and she’ll tell you as much. But when it comes to her body physically, for much of her life, she’s had difficulty.
Cerebral Palsy
Marshall Taniguchi, MD, Live on Facebook
March 9, 2017

Video: Facebook LIVE with Marshall Taniguchi, MD, on Cerebral Palsy

Marshall Taniguchi, MD, recently spoke to us about his work to help patients who have cerebral palsy achieve their highest possible levels of independence and quality of life. Watch the Facebook LIVE video here.
Rehabilitation
January 25, 2017

Virtual Tour: Gillette Therapy Pool

Have you seen our new therapy pool? It's perfect for kids who have cerebral palsy, spinal injuries and other complex medical conditions. Take a virtual tour to learn more about the state-of-the-art facility.
Rehabilitation
January 17, 2017

Some Things Change, Some Stay the Same After Injury

Five years ago Guadalupe sustained a spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed from the waist down. She stayed at Gillette nearly six months as she built strength and learned to make the most of her existing abilities.
Patient Stories
September 28, 2016

A Legacy of Strength and Smiles

As a child in the 1940s, Lyn Baier traveled with her mother by bus from the family farm in southwestern Minnesota to the old Gillette building near Lake Phalen in St. Paul. She spent months away from home getting treatment for her deformed right leg.
Patient Stories
September 21, 2016

Jackson Defies Gravity with ReWalk Robotic Exoskeleton

Jackson sustained a spinal cord injury when he was 16 years old. The injury thrust Jackson, who stands a tall 6’2’’, into a new reality of life in a wheelchair. But instead of giving up, Jackson made the decision to embrace his new reality.
Innovation and Research
August 29, 2016

Acupuncture May Yield Pain Relief for Kids Who Have Chronic Pain

A significant portion of children who have chronic care conditions – many of whom are already on numerous medications – might benefit from the low-risk and non-toxic benefits of acupuncture.
Patient Stories
Bodell family photo,
August 23, 2016

Family Speaks Out on Dangers of Drinking and Driving

As the Bodell family returned home from an afternoon of bowling, an intoxicated driver plowed into their car. Three-year-old Havana Bodell sustained a spinal cord injury. Less than a year later, the family is speaking out about the dangers of driving under the influence.
Patient Stories
August 16, 2016

Redefining Colten’s Childhood After Mystery Illness

Colten's family thought he'd come down with the stomach flu. Then his illness became something much more severe. Learn how a Gillette pediatric neurologist and Colten’s rehabilitation team helped him reclaim his childhood.
Rehabilitation
Trampoline injuries on the rise
August 1, 2016

Study: Trampoline Park Injuries on the Rise

A new study shows that the number of trampoline injuries is on the rise. Gillette experts say there is only one way to curb that trend -- don't use them.
Rehabilitation
Two little kids playing on the beach
June 2, 2016

Top 5 Summer Safety Hazards for Kids

For many children and families, summer means plenty of fun in the sun. Parents, however, need to be cautious. Many outdoor activities can end with injuries or – even worse – a trip to the emergency room.
Cerebral Palsy
Kids gather around baseball diamond for field of dreams game
May 26, 2016

Gillette Family Makes Field of Dreams a Reality

The Feyereisen family built a sandlot field in their backyard to inspire inclusiveness and teach kindness among their triplet sons, who have varying degrees of disabilities, and their friends. It's come to resemble a real-life "Field of Dreams."
Rehabilitation
Gillette rehabilitation fellows in skyway
May 22, 2016

A Conversation Between Fellows: Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Fellowship

At Gillette Children’s, we understand that choosing a fellowship program is a difficult and important decision. So, we sat down with two of our current Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine fellows to talk about how they made their decision, why they ultimately chose Gillette, and having been here, what they think now?
Patient Stories
May 17, 2016

“My Body was Haunted” – Ali’s Recovery from Chronic Pain

Even after an injury heals, sometimes an imprint of it can remain. How this happens varies from person to person. But for some individuals, like Ali Tokkesdal, it manifests in the form of chronic pain. “I couldn’t walk. It felt like my body had turned against me, like it was haunted,” says Ali.
Cerebral Palsy
Mom and her daughter in the Gillette skyway
March 24, 2016

Sorting Through a Childhood Diagnosis: 5 Tips for Parents

Every parent wants their child to be healthy, but that isn’t always the case. The reality is that as many as one in about 325 parents will have a child who has a complex medical condition such as cerebral palsy, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC also says about one in six children will have some type of developmental disability.
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