Sue Loughlin
The Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE —
Seven-year-old Alexys Fields climbed the ladder of the jungle gym, walked to the other side and eagerly went down the slide.
Erin Ford, a pediatric physical therapist, followed closely as Alexys ascended the steps, while Susan Higginbotham, a physical therapy assistant, was there to catch Alexys at the end of her joyride.
Fields had the honor of being the very first child to use Union Hospital’s new, outdoor pediatric therapy playground, which opened Friday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The playground cost about $20,000 and was funded equally by Duke Energy and the Union Hospital Foundation.
Alexys receives therapy once a week, and now, she’ll also be able to play outside in the new, fenced-in playground adjoining the pediatric therapy facility at 450 Eighth Ave.
The new playground “is wonderful. She’s going to love it,” said her mom, Elizabeth Fields.
Alexys has Down syndrome, which has affected her muscle tone. She has received pediatric therapy services for four years and it’s made a tremendous difference, Elizabeth Fields said.
She can climb steps now, something she couldn’t do when she started receiving therapy. Alexys also can step over things, step up on a curb and walk on uneven surfaces.
Fields does take her daughter to the Deming Park playground. “She does good but it makes me nervous,” she said. The new pediatric playground will strengthen Alexys’ skills even more.
Alexys is a first-grade student at Davis Park Elementary.
Ford, Alexys’ physical therapist, the staff “is excited. We can go outside and work with kids in a different environment. It’s important in any kind of therapy to vary the environment they are working in.”
Pediatric Therapy Services, serving Wabash Valley children since 1987, focuses on a team approach to benefit the whole child. Pediatric therapy provides occupational, physical and speech therapy to children from birth to adolescence in the Wabash Valley.
Staff provide therapy for children with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida and other developmental disorders or special needs.
Rick Burger, Duke Energy district manager, said the playground will help children improve many skills. The company views it as an investment “to help change the lives of a lot of kids out here in the community.”
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
