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My smart, beautiful daughter Skylar turns three in January. She was born at Long Beach Memorial at 41 weeks but arrived struggling to breathe due to an infection. She thankfully recovered after 2 weeks intubated in the NICU, but it wasn’t until a few months later that I noticed she was having trouble with mobility. I immediately knew what it could be: Nail-Patella syndrome, or congenital elbow malformations – a painful condition that I had as a child and still have to a degree.
When specialists confirmed bilateral elbow contractures, we were referred for physical therapy at Tichenor. I clearly remember that first day walking towards the clinic holding my 7-month-old. I was nervous about what life would be like for Skylar, but the emotion that overcame me at Tichenor’s doors was a flood of happy memories. 20 years ago, my granny brought me to Tichenor Clinic for therapy. I couldn’t believe that life had brought me back to the place I never wanted to leave.
I needed a lot of therapy as a child. It was painful, but the physical pain was eclipsed by the pain of feeling different and not having many friends my age. It wasn’t until I joined Tichenor Clinic’s preschool early intervention Development Program that I felt a sense of belonging for the first time. I loved going to class and having friends and teachers who loved and cared for me. When my granny told me that I was being discharged, I was crushed. I didn’t want to go to a regular school where I knew I’d be treated differently.
What a blessing that Tichenor has been open all this time, helping more kids like me and their caregivers feel less alone.
Skylar now participates in both physical and occupational therapy at Tichenor. They make it fun for her and have really helped prepare her for school and life. Not just how to hold a pencil to minimize stress on her elbow or how to strengthen her back muscles to support her walking, but most importantly: how to love with open hearts and minds.
At Tichenor, every child with differences feels like part of the family. Two decades later, two Tichenor staff members stopped me in the hallway, recognizing me! I can’t fully express what that means to me.
As a full-time student at LBCC and working parent, I am incredibly grateful for Tichenor Clinic providing us access to therapy, family support, and most of all, community. Please help me in thanking Tichenor Clinic for Children!
