A mother’s trust.
The challenge to earn such an honor is for many, a hill too high to climb.
But others, like a dedicated and compassionate group of therapists at Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s “Kids’’ location – and beyond – have done just that.
Earned a mother’s trust, her gratitude, admiration, and her love.
It is late in the afternoon on a sun-kissed spring day, and nestled inside the large, gorgeous, warm, and inviting Rock Valley Kids (Davenport, Iowa) clinic, amazing is at work.
Amazing times 100.
A bright, ultra-adorable and energy-filled four-year-old continues – in between building sandbox roads and firing foam rockets about the expansive and kid-centered gymnasium – making monumental strides in his speech, physical and sensory-processing development.
“Say ‘woman,’’’ Sara Meiresonne, MS, CCC-SLP, a compassionate and caring therapist, says to Kayden Voorhees, who is in the late stages of what is a successful speech therapy session with Meiresonne, who by interaction alone, has won the trust – and heart – of the the young boy.
He is holding his ground recently during a family vacation, refusing to leave a certain gift shop until something was purchased for “Miss Sara,’’ lends even more proof of his trust and care for her.
Moments later, Meiresonne takes Kayden on a continued journey of pronunciations which he aces – in clear and concise fashion. She even makes the young boy go back over three of the words just to assure those on hand – including his mother – his work is spot-on.
Kaelene Kragenbrink-Voorhees, Kayden’s mother, is herself a dedicated, knowledgeable, and caring health professional. She and husband, Ken, who is in law enforcement, understand the amazing work that has – and continues – to help Kayden. At every turn, she appreciates Rock Valley Kids having such a life-changing impact on her son’s development.
“Kayden is seeing Maggie Bohnert (MOT, OTR/L, Clinic Manager), for occupational therapy/sensory processing; Sara (Meiresonne) for speech therapy; and Ashley Ackerman (OTD, OTR/L) for occupational therapy,’’ said Kragenbrink-Voorhees, ATC, LAT, CES, FMS/Athletic Trainer Davenport Assumption High School/Regional Coordinator of Athletic Training Services-Quad Cities Region/Rock Valley Physical Therapy.
“I have never had a provider take so much care and time with my son,’’ she continued. “Both Sara and Maggie listened and took time to see how they could help Kayden. Sara has gotten to know Kayden so well and changes his speech sessions to what works best to keep him engaged (play oriented/monster trucks).”
“I was talking to Sara about some other behavioral changes my husband and I were seeing as well as some feedback from Kayden’s preschool teachers,’’ Kragenbrink-Voorhees added. “Sara had Maggie pop in for one of his speech sessions and Maggie suggested an evaluation for OT. Following the evaluation, we decided he would be a great fit for occupational and speech therapy. It all has worked.’’
In addition to being tremendous clinicians, Kragenbrink-Voorhees says Bohnert, Meiresonne and Ackerman are amazing communicators. No stone – in their assessments of Kayden’s needs, course of therapy and communication with her and her husband – has gone unturned.
“Maggie is one of the most patient people I have met,’’ Kragenbrink-Voorhees said. “She answers all the questions my husband and I have, same with Sara and Ashley. They listen and respect Kayden and his needs. Maggie also has this amazing, calming way with Kayden, and listens and respects his opinions. She never pushes and is always positive and inviting. It truly is an amazing building filled with great people.’’
At age three, services in the Quad-Cities were no longer available for Kayden, so the Kragenbrink-Voorhees family drove 45 minutes twice weekly to Rock Valley’s Muscatine, Iowa-based Cedarwood Clinic.
Despite the trip, it was a tremendous experience and Kayden made great progress.
“Oh, my goodness, Kendra Norman was a lifesaver for us in Muscatine,’’ Kragenbrink-Voorhees said. “You do what you have to do to better the life of your child, so we made that drive and got the help needed.’’
But life took a tremendous turn for the better when Rock Valley opened its Rock Valley Kids site in Davenport recently, where the Kragenbrink-Voorhees family reside.
“We are three minutes away and we have been able to have Kayden stack sessions on his weekly appointments, which has been amazing,’’ Kragenbrink-Voorhees said. “It is a life-changer for us and will be for many years for people of the area. Tremendous vision by Rock Valley for a kid’s clinic in the Quad-Cities. Kayden loves Sara, he loves Maggie, and he loves Ashley.’’
Rock Valley Kids is celebrating its open house, Tuesday, April 9, from 5-7 p.m. Event goers can tour the facility, learn all the clinic has to offer and engage with amazing therapists.
“So excited at the opportunity to have a positive and lasting impact on a community,’’ Bohnert said, noting the clinic specializes in infant and child development by offering an interdisciplinary clinical approach to pediatric therapies; physical therapy, speech therapy, feeding therapy and occupational therapy. “We have an amazing facility and there are tremendous people here dedicated to bettering the lives of children who need what we can offer. People will be so taken at what they see.’’
Grateful for Kragenbrink-Voorhees’ praise, Bohnert said having caring and engaged parents has been huge for Kayden.
“Ken and Kaelene are key to all this,’’ she said. “They are tireless in their commitment to Kayden, reinforcing all that we do here. Everyone in their family is so wonderful and dedicated to helping Kayden. The help that he gets at home is off-the charts. So grateful for Ken and Kaelene.’’
A mother’s trust earned?
“Amazing,’’ Kragenbrink-Voorhees said. “Life-changing. Family-changing.’’
By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller