Ellie Bo

Washington Elks Therapy Program for Children

Ellie is a beautiful 2-year-old girl with a spunky personality. Her determination, sense of humor, and bravery has been key to overcoming all the challenges she has had since birth.

Ellie was born with several challenges including 6P-25 deletion which means one of her chromosomes is not normal, Tetralogy of Fallot which is a serious heart condition and Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Medical complications include significant spinal misalignment and deformities as well as complications with her swallow, therefore she has required a G-tube for feeding.

Ellie has been receiving occupational therapy services through the Washington Elks Therapy Program for Children since November 2020 along with early intervention services and clinic-based feeding therapy. When she turns 3 years old, she will begin preschool services with the school district.

As an infant Ellie had difficulty moving her body against gravity, especially in prone (on her belly). She took a long time to learn how to push up on her hands and knees. She would often sit with a “C” curved posture and eventually required “serial casting” of her trunk to help improve her spinal alignment. She learned to scoot on her bottom for mobility before eventually learning to crawl. She used a gait trainer to learn how to walk but, quickly figured out how to walk independently. She wears foot orthotics to help with stability and optimal body alignment in standing and while walking.

Overall, Ellie’s development has progressed immensely! She has made amazing progress in all areas of her development. She is walking independently, participating in her own self-care by helping dress herself, learning prewriting skills such as drawing a line and circle and beginning to eat orally by tasting foods and taking sips from a cup. She is expressing herself verbally more and more every day and combining words to make her wants and needs known. She loves playing with her older siblings and is determined to keep up with them, no matter the physical challenges she has to overcome to do so!

Ellie and her Mom have been committed to participating in occupational therapy sessions on a weekly basis via teletherapy and occasionally, in- person sessions when it is safe to do so. Her mother has been instrumental with following through with therapeutic strategies and recommendations. Ellie’s spunky personality, along with her mother’s ability to implement therapy activities at home, has been key to Ellie’s progress towards her therapy goals!

The family cannot express their gratitude enough to the ELKS MEMBERSHIP for their kindness, generosity, and passion for helping families like themselves. They feel so very grateful and blessed to receive the gift of the Elks Therapy Program for Children!

A HEARTFUL THANK YOU, WASHINGTON ELKS!