Help Olivia Get to Therapy in LA!

Hi everyone, this is Emily - Olivia's mama.

The Ruiz Family is fundraising for out little one - Olivia has just been accepted into a three week long therapy program in Los Angeles at the NAPA international therapy program. NAPA is a highly sought after individualized intensive therapy program that focuses on individual’s needs in a highly unique environment.

THE KID

Olivia is the most smiley, hardworking two-and-a-half year old in the world. If you've never met her, you're missing out. She'll make your day with one smile/wave combo! On top of her awesome attitude and infectious laugh, no kiddo is more willing to work to keep up with her friends and older sister. She wears SMO (Supramalleolar Orthosis) orthotics and is working on walking with a Rifton Gait Trainer (peep the Blue Flame Thrower below).

THE BACKGROUND

Olivia was accepted into the NAPA program due to her gross motor delay (being categorized at age 8-9 months old for large muscle movement mobility at age two-and-a-half) - most kiddos are categorized at their age or higher on these scales *think of a growth chart.* She also has hypotonia (low muscle tone), areflexia (absence of deep tendon reflexes), choreatic lower body limb movements (involuntary movements in legs and feet) and speech delay.

Since the beginning of 2020 we've spent countless hours traveling to and from the Bay Area completing MRIs, multiple rounds of genetic testing, and an EMG. We've also completed Physical Therapy and Infant Development sessions since every week since her 1st birthday. That's a lot of hours!

THE PROGRAM

We'll be attending the NAPA therapy program to help Olivia's internal response sequencing between muscle messages sent to the brain and central nervous system, which will work to bring an increase in body awareness, leading to improved motor planning. That all sounds a little crazy, right? Like, who understands that jargon?! Yeah, we're flying by the seat of our pants too! Let's get to the good part of what she'll get out of it:

Olivia’s specialized program will be comprised of four-hour-long daily sessions for the full three weeks. She’ll be working and practicing skills wearing NAPA’s NeuroSuit (the NeuroSuit frames the body providing support and resistance simultaneously. It facilitates proper movement and provides additional weight bearing distributed strategically throughout the body), participating in Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI is a comprehensive intervention used by physio and occupational therapists that incorporates current research on neurorehabilitation, technologies, and methodologies), and working with industry professionals for Speech Therapy .

This means Olivia and I will be moving to LA for three weeks at the end of January 2022 (and she’ll put in at least 84 hours of work)!

THE NEED

The therapy alone is $7,500, and while we're crossing our fingers that our insurance will pick up the entire bill, we're not holding our breath. I mean, insurance, am I right?! Then add lodging and meals (insert sweating emoji).

Any help towards our goal is welcome and appreciated as we move towards Olivia's therapy dates: January 31-February 18.

Please share this campaign with those who might be moved to give. Thanks in advance!

Olivia + The Ruiz Family