Providing a Lifeline: Occupational Therapy at Ascension St. Vincent Salem Essential for Washington County Families

For five-year-old Nora Richards, every day is a battle against a rare and complex neurological disorder. Just after her second birthday, Norah was diagnosed with Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC). AHC is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder (about 1 in a million) characterized by recurring, temporary episodes of paralysis or weakness. Norah's mother, Emily, compares it to having a combination of epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson's, cerebral palsy, and autism.

"It's progressive." Emily says. "We've seen that in her. We've seen how her body has responded as time has gone on. She seems to have more and more health concerns. Norah has these episodes that cause her to go paralyzed. She has a lot of nerve pain. Sometimes her episodes are more stroke-like and so when she comes out of these episodes, you don't always know what will come back."

Nora faces profound health challenges, including dysautonomia, chronic kidney disease, and severe episodes that can cause temporary paralysis and cognitive regression.

"She's a fighter. She has the best spirit. And she's a hard worker." Emily says.

Despite frequent travel to specialized facilities like Riley Children's Health, Emily stresses that consistent, local support is non-negotiable for Nora's quality of life. This is where the occupational therapy (OT) services at Ascension St. Vincent Salem have become a critical anchor for the Richards family.

"Physical therapy and occupational therapy are essential for helping Nora navigate setbacks," Emily says.

Following a severe episode, Nora often needs to regain mobility or relearn skills, such as writing her name. Having specialized services available locally in Salem drastically reduces the burden of constant travel, a difficulty compounded when Nora is not feeling well.

"You think, well, if your kid needs therapy, you'll just get them there. And it's really difficult when she's not feeling well. It's difficult to get her somewhere. Having this here locally, we're able to come once a week, which is what she needs." Emily says. "They're right here. We're able to really form a deeper relationship and they're able to see her and work with her more. It's been extremely helpful and I'm very grateful to have such a great group that I can trust, that's going to give their best to Nora."

OT not only helps manage Nora's strength and swallow safety but also assists in identifying necessary adaptive equipment, such as a wheelchair.

The importance of the Salem clinic extends far beyond Nora's journey.

As Occupational Therapist Beth Fleenor explains, the facility is unique in Washington County. It is the only therapy provider in the area that accepts any pediatric diagnosis, requiring only a doctor's order.

"We really try to take any child that comes to us that needs services, so they can live a more independent life," Fleenor says.

This inclusivity means they serve a wide array of conditions, from cerebral palsy and Down syndrome to autism, ADHD, and various anxiety-related issues, helping approximately 40 children per week.

"Every child is different and they all have their own strengths." Fleenor noted. "They all have their own things they need to work on and they all have a purpose. And so I love that it's my job to really try to figure out what we need to address, what we need to work on so they can fulfill that purpose in the community.

Beyond hands-on therapy, the Ascension St. Vincent Salem clinic provides vital assistance with custom equipment to improve safety and quality of life for their patients. This support includes coordinating insurance and durable medical equipment (DME) coverage for items like custom strollers, enclosed beds for children with poor safety awareness, gait trainers, and adaptive car seats.

Highlighting Occupational Therapy Awareness Month, Fleenor stressed the importance of creativity in the field, recognizing each child's unique strengths and needs. For families like the Richards, and for dozens of other children in Washington County, the local occupational therapy program is not just a service-it's a pathway to helping their children fulfill their purpose within their community.