About us
Early Success Shapes Natalia’s Future
Three-year old Natalia Jaramillo is a happy and active child who wants to be included in everything—especially when animals are involved. She loves horseback riding and taking trips to the zoo, the aquarium and the pet store. This year’s summer vacation included a wild safari ride in Canada.
But when Natalia was an infant, her parents Sonia and Jaime were concerned about her future. She fell behind in reaching developmental goals. At first, they attributed this to Natalia’s premature birth. When Natalia was still not crawling at nine months, they worried that “something else was there.”
The Illinois Early Intervention System evaluated Natalia and referred the family to Aspire Children’s Services. Following an assessment by Aspire consultant and pediatric physiatrist Dr. Mary Keen, her family learned that Natalia has cerebral palsy.
“While there is no cure for cerebral palsy, supportive treatment and therapy can help children with this motor disability to manage their developmental challenges,” says Dr. Keen, Medical Director of Pediatric Rehabilitation at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital and a member of Aspire’s Medical Advisory Council. “The earlier therapy begins, the better the chance they will reach their highest potential."
Within a few months of her diagnosis, Natalia started receiving physical, speech, occupational and developmental therapy from Aspire Children’s Services. During the first two years with Aspire, up to four therapists visited Natalia’s home twice a week to work with the little girl.
“With therapy she started recognizing toys and sounds. And she began to interact with us more,” says Sonia. “We saw her reach important milestones like holding her head up, grasping things, hand/eye coordination, and getting on her hands and knees.” These key developments set the tone for Natalia’s future success.
Physical therapist Paula Cox and occupational therapist Ashley Stoffel have been with Natalia since the beginning and have seen her come a long, long way.
“We are working hard to find ways for Natalia to control her muscles so she can do more things on her own,” says Cox. “Like all children she learns by doing and practicing. We give her the tools to put it all together.”
Both therapists are impressed with Natalia’s determination and self-motivation.
“Natalia is so bright and such a delight to work with,” says Stoffel. “She is willing to do everything we teach her because she wants to be independent.”
Now that Natalia is three years old, she gets services at a local preschool in addition to her weekly therapy at Aspire. Her mother continues to see progress. “I can see Natalia walking someday, going to school and on to college. Aspire has made a huge impact on her life.”
