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In the News
By Nicole Strittmater
UW-Eau Claire Advanced Reporting Student
November 12, 2007
Members of
NARHA
North American Riding for the Handicapped Association
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| Jon Waggoner Testimony - click here |
| TJ's Testimony - click here |
| Nyhus Testimony - click here |
| Cathy Hamble's Testimony - click here |
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Cody's Testimony -
click here |
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Hanna's Testimony At the age of 4 Hannah’s speech was noticeably delayed. She was unable to speak in sentences and only mimicked a few words. She began speech therapy and we were introduced to hippotherapy in the summer. Hannah began to show significant progress in her ability to communicate as she rode the horse on a weekly basis. After 2 years of therapy the program was no longer available. Ten years later we were introduced to Nature’s Edge. Hannah has been involved with the programs available through Nature’s Edge for the past 2 years. We have seen tremendous growth in her ability to communicate and express herself. Her self-confidence has improved greatly and she no longer sees herself in a negative light. She now has a vision and a dream for her future. As Hannah explained her disability she would say “I have so much inside me but I can’t get it out”. Through the programs offered through Nature’s Edge Hannah has learned how to express herself and how to process her thoughts to the place of being able to share with others. She has said that this is her best year in school and we believe that the time spent at Nature’s Edge has been a positive influence on Hannah’s life as well as enabling her to grow. Rick and Sandy Lambert |
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Marcus's Testimony We are both family physicians in the Barron & Rice Lake area, so we were aware of Nature's Edge Therapy Center before becoming parents of a child on the spectrum. We new from our patients and a few friends that therapy at Nature's Edge had tremendously helped others. Marcus began therapy with Becky at the center this past spring and continued through this fall. It has made a huge difference and has been the best therapy decision that we have made! Both hippotherapy and more traditional speech therapy was used. Although Marcus had never been around horses before, he was so comfortable and happy at the center that he rode his horse, Svali, on his very first day of therapy. He was so excited that he asked us to take a picture of him with Svali afterwards. While on Svali, he began trying some new tastes and foods, and his expressive speech blossomed. All of this progress we were able to expand on at home. He made progress towards his goals at every session with Becky. Becky also gave he and his younger sister a chance to show horses at 2 area horse shows this summer which was a very special experience for us all. He did a great job answering the questions that the judges asked. We have been especially pleased with how his eating habits have changed. We finally have true family meals during which the kids at least try a bite of everything. It's been fun to see what new foods become favorites. Becky is an amazing person and very dedicated speech therapist. She seemed to always be coming up with fun new ideas for us to try that ended up working! Our community is very fortunate to have the wonderful services of Nature's Edge. Jewel Market, MD & Bob Peterson, MD |
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What Nature’s Edge has brought to our family especially “Emma” I had a very rough birth with Emma, after pushing for an hour and a half the dreadful “we have to prepare you for a c-section” somewhat came as a relief knowing the pain would soon be over. Emma was a beautiful, tiny baby with tons of black hair. On the third day the nurses noticed something different about Emma, her eyes were sustaining open, and they suspected seizure activity. We had a visit from a neurologist (not someone you want to see when your child is three days old), five long days in the NICU with one dose of Phenobarbital and we were free to go home. We did not experience anymore seizure activity but I always had this aching suspension that Emma wasn’t hitting the developmental milestones as others. I expressed my concerns to physicians and was told “all children develop at different rates.” When Emma was three and a half I took her to the school district for a speech/language evaluation. She was borderline (did not qualify for services) and I was told if she didn’t improve to bring her back when she turned 4. Emma struggled with putting words together, getting specific words to come out, it’s like she knew it but the words would not flow. There was little improvement once Emma turned 4 so I took her back for further evaluation. After further evaluation Emma started speech/language sessions. I had heard about Nature’s Edge through a clinician at the school but thought it would be better to keep her at one location so I never followed through to learn more about the center at that time (thinking back I am sure part of it was denial). Emma started preschool in the fall of 2003. Once in the class, the teachers were concerned about the lack of her cognitive ability for her age. In January of 2004 we did some additional testing through the school district and her IQ test came back below average. Although we know there are worst things that could happen to a child, we were devastated. Emma started kindergarten in the fall of 2004. In the winter of that year I decided I needed to accept Emma’s disability but I wanted to give her every opportunity I could for her to be successful. I contacted Nature’s Edge, Becky was fantastic. She listened and heard my concerns. She did some testing and yes once again confirmed Emma had a delay in her speech/language. However this time around Becky gave me a new hope, instead of simply writing Emma off as having a disability she focused on goals to accomplish. Emma loves to go to Nature’s Edge especially being able to ride her favorite horse, Savali which is part of Emma’s therapy. Becky works so well with Emma, goals are established and Emma is pushed to do the best she can. Emma has made amazing progress in the last year since we have been at Nature’s Edge. Becky is so caring, it’s quite refreshing and motivating to watch her work and so passionate about her job (although I truly don’t think she views it as a job). We will continue to take Emma to Nature’s Edge, the progress Emma has made is wonderful to see, especially for Emma. You can see the confidence grow in our little girl, to learn to communicate better, express herself and understand her surroundings. Becky has given us countless resources, homework, etc. She understands and encourages therapy not only at the center but in the home as well. As I just told Becky not too long ago “I want to tell you I appreciate you so much. You have given me so much hope and more confidence in understanding Emma’s disability, I can’t thank you enough.” Thanks again to everyone at Nature’s Edge Therapy Center, your dedication is admirable. Wendy Crotteau,
Parent |
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"There are angels among us...." Often we have heard this phrase, and sometimes we are lucky enough to find them in our lives. This I know from being blessed with the "angels" at Nature's Edge Therapy Center. My son, Shane, was diagnosed with Autism at age 3. To me - this was devastating, especially the realization that he may not learn to speak (he only had 3-4 words at the time, and they were hard to understand). His older brother, Kody, was 6 at the time, and very eager for Shane to talk. When I explained to Kody about Autism, and the uncertainty of whether onr not shane would lern to talk - he just cried, and then he said "That's terrible, Mom - how will he be able to go to college if he can't tell them what he wants to be?" Everthing at times just plain hurt. Because we live almost 100 miles away, we started Shane with speech therapy once a week at Nature's Edge, with Becky Lundeen. Within weeks, Shane said his first purposeful word "truck". And since then, Shane has made tremendous leaps and bounds with his speech and ability to communicate. Through sensory integration therapy, also provided at Nature's Edge, he has decreased and even resolved much of his sensory dysfunction, which has helped tremendously. He asks questions, makes jokes and talks about his feelings. He's quite a pro at making excuses for things he doesn't want to do. In fact, he's become quite the little chatter box - and it's all music to my ears! Becky is absolutely Shane's "angel", and my guide. She has given Shane his voice, and me the hope, encouragement and guidance that I needed so much. She has provided us with countless resources, and has a wealth of knowledge and experience with Autism - all of which have been vital in Shane's success! Along with Becky, the entire staff, at Nature's Edge, are warm professional, and so very dedicated and committed to what they do. And with the right "at home ranch setting" they provide an atmosphere that is natural and full of experiences. Last year Shane's little brother, Riley was also diagnosed with Autism. Again came the pain, and the heartache. But along came the hope, and the reassurance of knowing....there are angels among us! And I wish to say "Thank You!" from the bottom of my heart, to the Nature's Edge 'angels', for all that you do.....and all that you are! Sheila Kronberger, Parent |
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I am writing this letter to lend my full support for the autism and brain injury retreat center. As a child and adolescent psychiatrist with special interest in Autism and related developmental disorders, I believe this will be an invaluable asset to the community. Over the years we have referred various patients and their families to Nature's Edge for various therapeutic reasons, and we have been very pleased with the quality of services rendered. Expanding this program to include intensive rehabilitation with carry-over effects to the home environment is a way to empower the parents and the families to better manage this chronic condition. We currently need more of this and I am particularly thrilled by this announcement. I am grateful to your team for setting this up and wish you continued success. Dr. Gbadebo-Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Marshfield Clinic, Eau Claire |
I support the development of an Autism Retreat facility at Nature's Edge. Such services are difficult to obtain in our largely rural area, and would be welcomed. I have referred patients to Nature's Edge, and I have been impressed by their quality of work. Dr. Robert McIntire- Marshfield Clinic, Eau Claire, WI |
I am writing in my support of the Nature's Edge Therapy Center. I think they do a wonderful job of working with children and adults with disabilities and supplying therapy for them in an outdoor natural setting with animals. I have been very happy with the patient's that I have referred there and the patient's families. I have also been very satisfied and you can imagine any child would be happy to be in a setting where they can be engaged and involved with animals in the outdoors. I strongly support their mission and feel they deserve any grants or funding they can receive. Dr. Rebecca Allen-Pediatrician- Marshfield Clinic, Ladysmith, WI |
I am writing this letter to express my wholehearted support of Nature’s Edge Therapy Center and their mission to improve services for children and adults with special health care needs. I am a board certified child psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of children with special health care needs with special emphasis in pervasive developmental delays. I have referred numerous patients to Nature’s Edge Therapy Center and have been extremely pleased with the quality of service which they have received. It is vitally important for families to have such an excellent therapeutic resource in Northwestern Wisconsin. I am excited about the prospect of working with Nature’s Edge Therapy Center as they strive to organize and maintain a premier treatment center. I feel that an autism and brain injury retreat center would be an exceptional and invaluable addition to the services offered at Nature’s Edge. It has the potential to positively impact children not only regionally but potentially nationally. As the parent of a moderately autistic child, I have been involved with a number of premier therapy programs in the Western United States (The Little Red School House in Seattle; UCLA Partial Hospitalization Program for autistic children; Truesdale Communication Center at the University Of California – Redlands; The Autism Transition Program at Cal State San Bernadino, The SKIP Program at Loma Linda University; the Children’s Behavior Therapy Unit –CBTU in Salt Lake City; the TEACCH at home program with Dr. Sally Ozonoff at the University of Utah) I believe that Nature’s Edge stands equal with these programs in the quality and individual approach which they provide for their clients. In conclusion, as both a professional working with special needs children and as a parent of a special needs child, I strongly support Nature’s Edge Therapy Center’s mission and vision for development of a specialized therapy retreat center and program. Ronda Davis MD, PhD, Marshfield Clinic, Eau Claire |
“ To any Concerned, I heartily support the development of an Autism Retreat facility at Nature’s Edge. Children diagnosed with autism often have tremendous needs, including assistance with basic motor skills, fine motor skills, and even simple interpersonal communication skills. Families face great difficulty caring for basic health care needs and often feel overwhelmed. Services offered by Nature’s Edge are difficult to obtain in our rural area and would be greatly welcomed and appreciated. I have referred several patients to Nature’s Edge and have been impressed by the quality of their work. “ Dr. Andrew Robertson Department of Pediatrics; Marshfield Clinic, Rice Lake, WI |
| "When I first checked on Nature's Edge I was in the V.A.
Hospital during intensive therapy for my traumatic brain injury. My brain injury
came from being hit while driving my horse and carriage home from a parade the
night after Thanksgiving 2005.
After many months of therapy down at the V.A. and a 4 1/2 week stay in the V.A. brain injury unit it still took another six months before I could start the hippo-therapy at Nature's Edge. I had come to the point of having to sell all of my horses which I used all the time for my transportation and pleasure because of having a previous brain injury and developing narcolepsy and becoming totally disabled and not able to drive a car since I was about 26. About 8 years ago I got connected with an Amish family and bought my horse and buggy and they taught me what I needed to know to use is for my transportation. When I came out to Nature's Edge to check it out I was even checking with Becky about donating my last horse to their program when she told me not to let it go. She said they would work with me and a good chance of being able to at least have a part of my old life and passion with horses back. Well now its Nov. 2006 and I just finished my 12 sessions of therapy with them and am able to ride my horse at least around our trails for now. Becky and her staff were a real link for me to have a part of my passion back for horses. The work she did with me to help me to compensate for my memory deficits and divided attention has furthered my recovery immensely. I thank and appreciate so much the help I received and how much they really have their hearts into helping people! Thanks Becky, Carrie and Louise for giving me a part of my life back! I'll never forget this and that is something for a person struggling with a brain injury." Steve (age 52)
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| Ryan T & " Bacardi" Our son Ryan was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3. He was verbal until he was 2 1/2 then regressed to being non-verbal. Ryan is now 14 1/2 years old. We have done almost all of the programs available to help his autism and done a lot of evaluations for the last 11 years. The programs have all helped Ryan in there own special way. The program that has done the most wonder for him since we started is the Speech & Hippotherapy at Nature's Edge Therapy Center. Ryan's voice has returned through his wonderful big, white horse "Bacardi" that he rides for his Hippotherapy. He also can communicate using his "Pec" program and Dynamite voice machine that was established at Nature's Edge. It has been like a night and day difference with Ryan. Thanks to all the great help given from Becky & staff Ryan now has a say in our world. Nature's Edge is a very down to earth relaxing place to be. You always feel welcome even if a previous session was a disaster ( Chocolate Chip cookie making; not a favorite of Ryan's) but you get right back in there and make the adjustments. We urge anyone to come and give them a try. Thank you Becky for all your heart and soul that you give to our "COWBOY". Rob & Kathy Thompson |
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Aurora Community Services Center November 1, 2006 We at Aurora Community Services have worked with Andrea Nack for nearly 4 years. During that time, we have seen a gradual improvement in her coping/communication skills, but in the period she has been attending “Nature’s Edge” she has shown a dramatic growth in both areas. The techniques that Andrea and our staff have been exposed to (since Nature’s Edge) have helped Andrea to more clearly express herself. Those techniques have also improved our ability to respond to Andrea and to explain our concerns and expectations. Andrea seems to have become aware that we are getting “better” at understanding her. Her level of trust has grown, the fact that she doesn’t exist in a communication vacuum enables her to process information, rather than just react to it. Andrea is less likely to strikeout, throw objects or scream: and when she does, a conversation about rules (and what is expected of her) usually calms the situation. The fact that we can “talk” to Andrea speaks volumes. As a parent of two Autistic sons and after nearly eight years of working with Autistic individuals, I cannot emphasize enough how crucial (and rare) a program like this is. Andrea is finding a voice and the longer she can participate in this program, the stronger her voice will be. Rick Kayser |