Meet Kamille

Tell us your child’s story.

In 2016 my daughter suffered a heinous traumatic brain injury, caused by physical abuse and shaken baby. She was only nine months old when this significant situation caused her to lose the entire left half of her brain. Kamille now suffers a plethora of severe disabilities that limit her quality of life and do not allow her to live a normal life of a three-year-old child.

Why did you choose APT for therapy services?

We chose APT for therapy services because we wanted a service that she could have while she was attending Kidz Club. APT is not just a therapy service, they are attentive and caring, and absolutely amazing with the needs and wants of my child.

What improvements have you seen in your child since they started therapy at APT?

My daughter Kami has started to have a little more independent as a three year old. They have given my child so many opportunities that she didn’t have before. My daughter did not walk, did not talk, and did not show any normal play as a three year old. My daughter is attempting to walk in a gait trainer, and she’s using her pointer finger to play appropriately with toys. She is a much more well-rounded child, and while she still suffers greatly, they have allowed her to express herself.

What has been your brightest moment along the journey?

This one is so hard for us because they have given us so many bright moments, however, I think the brightest moment along our journey has been when her physical therapist, Camille Pfetzer, sent me the very first video of Kamille walking in her gait trainer; something I thought the person that abused her took away from me. They were able to give me some small hope back.

What advice would you give other parents who face similar situations?

If I could give anybody advice in similar situations, it would be to not give up. The road is long and hard, and at times it seems almost stationary. Don’t ever give up on your child or their therapist because you are your child’s biggest advocate, and the moment you stop pushing is a moment they stop pushing. Always stay hopeful!

Physical Therapist, Cami Pfetzer, Occupational Therapist, Kim Lawrence, and Speech Therapist, Tori Schaub see Kamille at APT. We asked them to share a little about their journey with her.

How long have you been working with Kamille and what improvements have you seen?

Cami:
I began working with Kamille in the summer of 2016, just five months after her injury. We have seen each other twice a week for over two years now! Kami has made amazing progress. When I first started worked with her, she was very limited with her mobility skills. Due to her brain injury, she wasn’t able to recognize the right side of her body, so sitting or crawling were out of the question. Now she is able to sit, scoot, crawl on her belly, and pull up to standing. She also loves to work in her gait trainer (a piece of equipment that helps children to walk) and now I have to chase her down because she moves so quickly!

Kim:
I have been working with Kamille for 8 months. Since then Kamille has improved her play skills by appropriately activating cause/effect toys by isolating her finger. She has also shown improved attention to toys. Kamille is also showing more right side awareness.

Tori:
I have been working with this kiddo for about a year, and she has come SO far. She is now able to identify some objects, pictures, and imitate some simple signs, facial expressions, follow commands, and most recently (and most exciting) she has started imitating simple sounds such as raspberries and “ma” sounds. She is a hard worker and has a very supportive family which I think has made the biggest impact on her improvement.

Describe a little about your relationship with Kamille.

Cami:
I feel so blessed to have the relationship I do with this sweet girl and her family. All of us therapists work with her at The Kidz Club, which is an incredible daycare for children with unique medical needs. That means we get to be a part of a big team of nurses and caregivers that love on Kami daily! The Kidz Club gave me the opportunity to partner with Kami’s family during a very scary time and now I am so thankful to be a part of her journey.

Kim:
Kamille brightens my day each time I see her. She waves and smiles when I pass her at The Kidz Club. I enjoy working with Kamille and seeing her progress toward her goals. I look forward to continue working with Kamille to ensure she lives her life to the fullest!

Tori:
This friend is the happiest girl in any room. If she makes eye contact with you she is instantly smiling. She is so incredibly sweet and we have so much fun working together.