My name is Barbara Charles. I am starting this fundraiser to benefit our sweet granddaughter, Marlie, and her wonderful mama, Olivia. Marlie was welcomed into our family on January 22, 2024. While all prenatal testing had come back with good results, it soon became apparent that Marlie was not developing like other babies. She struggled with basic motor movements. She started physical therapy at 4 months old and was soon given a diagnosis of hypotonia, or overall low muscle tone. It's also known as “floppy baby syndrome.”

Her mom began visiting doctors looking for a reason for her weakness. In September, Marlie had a brain MRI. Unfortunately, it showed that some areas of her brain had not developed as they should. While doctors can't definitively tell us this is the cause of her hypotonia or what other issues may arise because of that, Olivia is still searching for answers.

Marlie has been blessed with an amazing physical therapist through Nationwide Children’s and also receives physical therapy through Early Intervention. However, we became interested in a newer method of physical therapy called Dynamic Movement Integration, or DMI. Typically, DMI is offered in 1-3 week intensives where the child receives therapy 2 times a day for that time. We researched different therapists and found one that has great success with children like Marlie called All Kids Are Perfect in Cary, North Carolina.

Olivia saw online they were accepting applications for 2025 for intensives and applied on behalf of Marlie. We were so excited to be accepted! But this brings us to our ask. This program does not submit to insurance and we will have to pay out of pocket. I will be traveling to North Carolina to help Olivia during my Spring Break. The money we are raising will pay for the therapy and our travel expenses, including lodging.

If you know our family, you know we don’t ask lightly, but we will put anything aside to give Marlie the best chance possible. Her physical therapist thinks that Marlie is an excellent candidate for DMI, and we are so excited to see how this will help her grow and develop.

We ask that you pray about this and if you are able and feel led, please consider giving to support Olivia and Marlie through this.