Son: Amari, Age 4, Joubert Syndrome
Main Goal: Challenge him and push him so he can move independently
Amari is our second child and we had a clear pregnancy and everything was fine. We had a lot of complications once he was born. Doctors were very concerned because he demonstrated low muscle tone, his head was floppy. They did an MRI and he was diagnosed with Joubert Syndrome.>
It’s been a journey. We had difficulties especially in his early months up until he was three months old. He had issues with breathing and feeding so he required physical therapy, occupational therapy, and feeding therapy, but he’s really come a long way so we are just excited to see what’s to come. He’s really been doing well as of lately.>
Could you describe what things were like when he first began working with Breakthrough PT?
When we first started working with Breakthrough, I think he just needed a program that had a lot of consistency and had a greater frequency. He had a lot of potential when he started and I just think that Breakthrough unleashed all of that potential so we got to see him show how strong he was, physically strong. We already knew that he was mentally strong but I feel like the program just brought out the best in him and we got to see his true potential that we always one was there.
What were your biggest concerns before starting at Breakthrough?
I was most concerned with the pace he was achieving milestones. We already knew that he would be behind but I just felt like the therapy that he was receiving in school and early intervention just wasn’t enough and that we needed to find something different that we could see him grow and make progress at a faster rate. We knew that he could we just didn’t have access to a different program.
What kind of improvements have you been able to see or what kind of impact on your son's life have you been able to see as a result of working with Breakthrough?
Besides just being physically stronger, we just see more confidence in him and I just look at him and he doesn’t even look the same to me. He’s just gotten so much stronger and we can see ahead. It’s a different outlook we have now that we can see in him and that I guess he feels it too. That just looking at tackling life and each day differently because he’s really just gotten a lot stronger that he didn’t know he could do or that we didn’t know he could do.
What do you love most about visiting our office and working with us?
I love the family atmosphere here. It’s not just about him as a client but just our family as a whole. Just really seeing him as a person which I really appreciate most; That everyone in the office knew about our family, knew what we did over the weekend, we just talked about everything and it was all genuine. I just really love that most about Breakthrough. You can tell the staff is a family, but the clients are family as well which is just amazing.
How has working with Breakthrough helped Amari?
I just feel like he can do anything; That this is the right program for him. We finally found what we were looking for and we’re excited about him having independent mobility which is something that we always wanted for him but we had to find the right place and the right program that would allow him to be able to move about independently.
I know he’s going to walk. I know he’s going to move around and I’m going to have to run after him and it’s just nice to finally know that that’s going to happen because we weren’t sure prior to finding Breakthrough. But, he will.
What do you want other people to know about working with us?
This is one of the best things to happen to my family. I think once you meet the staff here, you feel like you’re part of the family and it’s just really genuine. And whatever outside support you need, it’s more than just coming here for PT, but they want to help your family in all aspects and you don’t find that in every place that you go. It’s just such a wonderful, big happy family and I’m so glad to be inducted into this family. I think that’s what everyone needs to know. It’s just such a great place and a great family atmosphere.
If someone was on the fence about working with us what would make them feel confident about giving us a try??
You have to speak with Christine and that’s it. You’ll talk to her and that’s it. You have to do it. It’s 1000% worth it and any doubts that you have just call the office, come in, and you’ll be hooked. That’s it.
Do this. Come here. Bring your children. This is just the best place and if you’re on the fence or looking for a place with this type of service, this is where you need to be. My family commutes from the Bronx. We take an hour each way to get here and it’s 1000% worth it. So get over here. It’s just a great place for your child or whoever, it’s just a great place to be.