Thursday, April 21, 2016
Collin Stempniewski, 11, has seizures every day. He recently had brain surgery and needs physical, occupational and speech therapy. His mother, Kathleen, drives him to and from Beaumont Children’s Rehabilitation Center in the Grosse Pointe Neighborhood Club four times a week. It’s 30 minutes away from their home in Macomb, but Stempniewski says it’s worth it.“We love the therapists. They are all wonderful and really great with him,” Stempniewski said.
Now, she won’t have to drive quite so far. Beaumont Children’s has opened a Children’s Rehabilitation Services center in Macomb Township, located at 15959 Hall Road, Suite 410. It’s about five minutes away from the Stempniewski’s home.
“A child may speak his first word, take his first step or learn to write his name during a treatment session. Beaumont’s therapists often have lasting impacts on children,” Kris Rutkowski, Beaumont Children’s system director of Speech and Language Pathology, said.
Opening the new center allows easier access to Beaumont services for children like Collin. A team of physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers and speech pathologists all work at the center.
“Many of our current pediatric patients travel from northern Macomb County to our Beaumont pediatric rehabilitation centers in West Bloomfield, Royal Oak and Grosse Pointe,” said Beaumont Children’s system director of pediatric rehabilitation services Manjula Amarnath.
Children’s rehabilitation services available at the new center include treatment for disorders from medical conditions, accidents, or congenital problems. Programs include services for children with developmental impairments, autism spectrum disorders, language disorders, orthopedic and neurological/neuromuscular conditions, feeding and swallowing problems and sensory integration challenges.
In addition, therapists work with children on stuttering, articulation, cleft lip/palate and craniofacial anomalies.
“I am thrilled because it’s hard to find pediatric therapists. To find something close to home is exciting. It’s nice to see Beaumont coming to our community,” Stempniewski said.
To make an appointment at the center, call 586-416-6290 or visit beaumont.edu/childrens-rehab.