KidsAbility Centre for Child Development is now in a new, custom-built facility in Fergus that is steps from its previous space but miles ahead in terms of functionality.
On Jan. 14 KidsAbility celebrated its new therapy space at 160 St. David St. South, Unit 102 with staff, community partners and the media.
The organization has been in Fergus since 2000 and was previously sharing the space with the Ontario Early Years Centre.
However, after that organization moved out, KidsAbility relocated in November, custom designing the new space to provide the best services possible for clients, said CEO Linda Kenny.
KidsAbility is a children’s treatment centre funded through provincial Ministry of Children and Youth Services that provides rehabilitation services for youths, from birth to 18 years of age, with developmental disabilities and delays.
In Fergus clients are offered physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, recreational therapy and autism services at the organization.
“They don’t have to do the travel; it makes it more convenient, it also allows them to connect with their community partners here,” said Mary Ellen McIlroy, client service manager for KidsAbility in Guelph and Fergus.
“And we have all the same facilities, equipment, toys that we would have in Guelph.”
The organization even sends a physiotherapist and occupational therapist to Mount Forest regularly to serve clients in the northern portion of the Wellington County.
The organization opened its Fergus operation just 15 years ago with just one family using the services.
“Coming to Fergus was the decision that was made, because I think we believe that families need to be able to access certain services within the communities where they live,” Kenny said during the presentation.
Now the organization serves over 70 children in Fergus.
“And these are families that don’t have to drive to weekly appointments out of their community,” Kenny said. “These are families that don’t have to take away from their jobs, from their homes, from their other children, in order to be able to access services.”
The Uddins are one such family.
Speaking at the event, Abraham Uddin told the story of his son, Mishi. Abraham’s wife, Zdenka, did not have amniotic fluid during her pregnancy and there was a four per cent survival rate for Mishi. When he was born the family was told they only had days with him.
“As the days turned into weeks and months, our fears and frustrations grew,” Abraham said. “We endured several surgeries and a multitude of testing and no clinical diagnosis could be found.”
Abraham said Mishi and the family started working with KidsAbility soon after his birth. Not only did the professionals help with treatment but “they helped us become advocates for our son and ultimately our friends,” Abraham said.
“Without them our son would not have survived.
“KidsAbility helped our son meet milestones that originally he had no hope for,” Abraham concluded. “My son can sit up, walk, run, interrupt and jump.”
The new Fergus facility is more conducive to providing specialized therapy. One example is the rails set up along the therapy room walls at knee height for an adult but at the perfect height to assist a child learning to walk.
Though the government of Ontario supports KidsAbility, donations are also a large part of the funding model, Kenny said. She noted the Rotary Club of Fergus Elora was a large contributor to the new space, as was Curl for a Cause.
