Ryden, diagnosed with autism and cerebral palsy, was born at 26 weeks, weighing 1.5 lbs. He is nonverbal, but when his mother, Brittany, talks about going to The Shea Center, Ryden quickly runs to the door. Ryden has some sensory issues and when he first came to Shea...
Physical therapists (PTs) are movement experts with specialty degrees who work with clients of all ages to optimize physical functioning through hands-on activities and exercises. Physical therapy addresses many physical challenges across the lifespan including...
Levi is on his own timeline. Those are the words of his mother Ivana. Born by emergency C-section at 24 weeks and weighing 1.5 pounds, Levi was in the neonatal ICU for 112 days. It was three weeks before Ivana could hold her newborn son. After severe brain bleeds and...
Lorelei W. is a smiley seven-year-old who loves to scoot around in her new gait trainer, which she recently received. Diagnosed with seizure disorder and global developmental delay, Lorelei has diminished core strength and balance challenges and receives occupational,...
After growing up on a farm outside of Wichita, Kansas, Matt Mitchell graduated from Oklahoma Christian University and went on to receive his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California. Matt was drawn to physical therapy as a way to...
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor Jennifer Hawke was first introduced to the world of equine assisted services at the age of 13. She became enthralled by the impact riding could have on people’s lives and empower them in ways they...
Joan Robinson became a physical therapy utilizing hippotherapy client at The Shea Center in 2011 after living for years with physical impairments caused by a stroke. The unique three-dimensional movement of the horse challenges her balance and postural stability. This...
Maggie G.’s favorite activity is hide-and-seek says her physical therapist, Randi Shannahan. At The Shea Center, we try to incorporate the game whenever possible during Maggie's physical therapy sessions on and off the horse. This can be a great method to...
“Goodbye, Auggie”. Those are Hudson D.’s new words. Hudson is five years old and has been a Shea Center client for two years. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Hudson is visually impaired and has delayed speech. He attends transitional kindergarten, speaks about 50...
At six months of age, Isabella C. (age 5) was diagnosed with developmental dysplasia of the hip where the “ball and socket” joint of the hip did not properly form. After surgery at seven months, she was in a hip spica cast from her abdomen to her ankles for four...