Sara’s Garden Helps Individuals Adapt

Sara’s Garden Helps Individuals Adapt

Article published Tuesday, March 1, 2011 by the Northwest Signal

Wauseon – Sara’s Garden recently spread awareness for Conductive Education, which teaches individuals with neuromotor disabilities to be able to adapt to and function in their environment.

National Conductive Education Day was Thursday, and Sara’s Garden offered the community an opportunity to learn about the program and observe a session in progress.

Conductor-Teacher Kasey C. Gray explained Sara’s Garden was inspired by Sara and Jay Burkholder and specializes in both Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Conductive Education. On March 15, 2002, Sara gave birth to the couple’s first child, and Jackson was delivered by emergency cesarean section. Sara passed away several hours later, and Jackson was diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to lack of oxygen during the delivery.

As his family worked together to locate alternate options to help Jackson despite being told he would not improve, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Conductive Education were discovered. However, these treatments were not offered locally, so the family founded the center so services would be available locally.

Gray explained there are 30 Conductive Education centers in the Association for Conductive Education in North America. The program works for those with motor skill disorders such as cerebral palsy but can also be beneficial for those with spina bifida, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, stroke and traumatic brain injury.

“We focus on the whole person, not just the symptoms of the disorder,” she said, adding the goal is to increase independence through self-care skills such as eating and going to the bathroom, social and emotional skills to interact more with others and verbalize and fine motor skills.

Conductive Education was first developed in Hungary, and there are only four places – Hungary, Israel, the United Kingdom and Grand Rapids, Mich., at Aquinas College – which train the technique. Gray attended Aquinas and she is also an elementary teacher and intervention specialist in addition to being trained in Conductive Education.

There is currently an after-school program offered at Sara’s Garden with the assistance of a 21st Century Grant through Wauseon Schools, but enrollment is not limited to only Wauseon students. The grant covers tuition and paraprofessionals to assist during the program.

There are typically three to five in attendance at the program, which meets four days a week for two hours a day. When the students arrive, they eat a snack, go to the bathroom and participate in a lying program, where ambulatory skills such as rolling over, sitting up and using their arms are emphasized. From there, they break off into smaller groups such as actions in the sitting position, bending and stretching elbows, improving feet movements and participating in a standing program.

“They are daily routines, but it evolves with them as they improve,” Gray noted.

The current morning session includes two children between 3-4 years old who meet three days during the week. Their routine includes using a plinth table, which has slats to allow gripping because it is difficult for many to do so on a flat surface, rolling over, sitting up and working on eating skills and potty training, as well as standing and sitting programs.

Additional programming, including for adults, is available upon request.

Several parents have recoded testimonials to how the treatments have helped their children improve beyond their expectations. For example, one mother noted an exercise where the arm is lifted over the head leads to the practical use of being able to brush hair and put on a shirt.

“We want to get the word out,” she said. “We hope more people will have access to what we’re doing.”

The nonprofit organization is funded by donations, grants and fees charged by services.

“That helps us keep our heads above the water,” Gray explained of the fees.

Various fundraisers are held throughout the year, and the Eighth Annual Sara’s Garden Poker Run is set for June 4, with all proceeds going to the center.

HBOT and Autism

HBOT and Autism

“My son was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 2. It was a very difficult time for our family. However, we were determined to fight Autism. We set out on a journey and are so blessed that we found Sara’s Garden along the way. We have been to Sara’s Garden for 80 dives now and are seeing wonderful results. He is talking more, expressing feelings, eating new foods, and making connections with peers and adults. Academically he is at or above grade level and is currently in a regular education classroom with support from the Resource Room when needed. We were so lucky that the staff at Sara’s Garden were so committed to helping us along the way, as they are truly wonderful guides and cheerleaders!” LR – Medina, Ohio

Omira is Overcoming Her List of Nevers

Omira is Overcoming Her List of Nevers

Weighing in at only one pound seven ounces, Omira was born at just 25 weeks of gestation (Babies are not considered full-term until 37 weeks). Omira spent the first three months of her life in an incubator, and was in the hospital for a total of four months before finally getting to come home.

While in the hospital, a great deal of damage was done to Omira’s vocal cords. The doctors informed Adelina, Omira’s mother, that Omira would never be able to talk. In fact, Adelina was given a long list of ‘nevers’… things that Omira would never be able to accomplish… walking, talking, potty training… Even with this bleak prognosis of what her life would be like and despite exhibiting all of the telltale developmental delays. it wasn’t until Omira was 2 years old that she was finally diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy.

Omira immediately began receiving the traditional treatment for cerebral palsy – physical and occupational therapy – one to two times each week. This went on for three years, with the family seeing very little progress in Omira’s development.

Finally, when Omira was 3½ years old and about to enter preschool, she was referred to the Conductive Education Program at Sara’s Garden by school administrators. When she arrived at Sara’s Garden to attend her first CE session, her little body was curled up into itself. She was completely unable to bear any weight on her legs or use them purposefully. She did not speak… in fact, she actually cried for the entirety of her first session (2 hours a day, 4 days a week for 4 whole weeks). She showed no interest in peers, teachers, or participating in any physical activity.

Then an amazing thing happened, Omira began to change. She stuck with the program and began to develop in every aspect – socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically. The crying stopped too. Omira began to use short, two-word phrases to express her wants and needs. She began showing interest and excitement toward attempting new physical tasks. After one year in the Conductive Education program, Omira’s mother commented, “Now I can see my daughter.”

This child who came to Sara’s Garden with a list of ‘nevers’ continues to learn and develop and cross items off that ‘never’ list she was given… her mother is constantly amazed and says, “She has learned to do things that we never expected her to do.”

Omira now stands behind a ladder supporting her own body weight with only minimal supervision. She is in the early stages of learning to take steps with the help of an adult. She sits independently on a stool with no supports or straps. She now speaks in complete, polite sentences like, “I would like the pink cup, please.” Omira participates fully in the group routine and enjoys taking on a leader role. She has developed facial expressions and uses them appropriately.

“We are very pleased to be in a special place like this,” Omira’s mother has commented. Since we started coming to Sara’s Garden, I love it here. They have worked with her very well and she has progressed a lot!”

Thanks to Conductive Education at Sara’s Garden, Omira has a much brighter future. No matter what you’ve been told, there is hope… and Conductive Education can help you find it.

We Appreciate Sara’s Garden’s Dedication

We Appreciate Sara’s Garden’s Dedication

“Before attending Conductive Education our son was standing on his own. However, after his first week he was walking with the aid of a walker, climbing stairs, and participating in small group activities. He continues to improve with the skills our family gained from his being part of this holistic therapy program. His confidence in his body and its movement improved immensely. We appreciate the time and dedication the staff of Sara’s Garden gave to our child.”

We See so Much More From Conductive Education

We See so Much More From Conductive Education

“The exercise and practice of new and different movements each day for several hours during Conductive Education sessions at Sara’s Garden is so much better than the therapy we receive for 20 minutes one time per week in the school system.”

Conductive Education has Changed our Son’s Life

Conductive Education has Changed our Son’s Life

“My son’s spastic cerebral palsy caused him to be a non-walker with limited communication skills prior to attending Sara’s Garden. We followed all recommendations from the traditional medical community, however our medical insurance put significant limits on the prescribed physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. At best, these therapies worked to maintain his current levels but not advance his skills.

Sara’s Garden provides a cost-effective therapeutic alternative to provide intensive learning on a regular basis that my son finds to be enjoyable and motivating. He took his first independent steps after participating in Conductive Education for less than six months.

My son has continued with his Conductive Education for over four years. Through Conductive Education, he has grown in physical strength and stamina. His vocabulary has grown by several hundred words. I highly recommend Conductive Education at Sara’s Garden.” DS – Liberty Center, Ohio

Conductive Education at Sara’s Garden

Conductive Education at Sara’s Garden

Article published Wednesday, May 7, 2008 by the Archbold Buckeye

Since the summer of 2006, Sara’s Garden has welcomed special educators from Hungary, called conductors, to lead its Conductive Education program.

Anna Baranyi, who came to the U.S. in November 2007, is the third and current conductor at the facility.

Conductive Education

Sara’s Garden is a non-profit center, originally opened in 2005 to administer hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which has proven beneficial to people with a variety of problems, including brain injuries.

Sara’s Garden expanded its offerings to include Conductive Education (CE), a system of education for people with physical disabilities that stem from brain injury. It was pioneered in 1945 by Andras Peto, a Hungarian doctor, in Budapest.

Conductive education is based on the idea that despite any damage to the central nervous system, the body has the ability to form new neural connections. This comes through the process of active learning, with the guided help of a conductor. These conductors attend a four-year university program at the Peto Institute in Budapest, the only one of its kind in the world.

CE helps individuals with brain injuries such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and other muscle-control problems.

This approach targets children under the age of six, because those are the ages when CE can have its greatest impact. Through CE, a child can gain higher levels of independence.

Sara’s Garden

As a conductor, Baranyi works hard with her ten clients, ages 1-14 years. By using a walking ladder, steps, plinth tables, mirrors, balls, and other items, she helps children retrain their brains.

“I teach the kids to use their body for everyday movements: open the door, put the shirt on, grab the cup and feed themselves on their own,” she said.

Being a conductor is a physically challenging job. It’s hard on the body because conductors are on the floor, maneuvering children while supporting their body weight.

Baranyi said, “Sometimes I’m extremely tired and I think, ‘You know what, I can’t do this.’ I have a couple days’ rest and I say ‘OK, I can’t stop.'” Because it’s so demanding, she jokes that, “when I become an old lady I would like to teach.”

Baranyi thinks the Sara’s Garden facility is “a blessing. It’s a wonderful place. I wish I had this place in my hometown.”

So what brought her here? “God was speaking to me: ‘Go and encourage the people there, the kids, the parents, and the people around me.’ That was His purpose.”

She plans to go to Hungary in June for a vacation, but already realizes that she is a different person since being here.

“I will go home, but not as the same person as when I came. There are many changes in me and I’m so glad God uses me.”

Client Progress

The earlier a child receives CE the better chance he has for good improvement. Its approach is not just about motor function development. It is also about the physical, intellectual and social requirements needed for developing a healthy personality.

The goal is to improve the general attitude of the child from “I can’t do this” to seeing himself with no limitations and a better self-esteem.

Measuring progress is different for each client. Some children come three or four times a week. Others come once a week. Some of this depends on how far away the families live. The more often they can come, the better chance of improvement.

When the children use Sara’s Garden’s hyperbaric chamber, they make more progress because, “it just pushes them forward.

“Also, we are praying for every kid every hour. We believe that God’s hands are on us and He can bless us,” she said.

Baranyi Adapts To American Life

As a young Hungarian woman working in a different country, Anna Baranyi faces many challenges.

Her job as a conductive education teacher, or conductor, at Sara’s Garden hyperbaric treatment center in Wauseon has its own challenges.

Learning the English language and culture can be difficult as well. Fortunately, her faith and her sense of humor have helped her overcome many obstacles.

Baranyi comes from a town similar in size to Wauseon. She graduated from the Peto Institute in Budapest in 2005.

Being the first person to become a conductor in her hometown, she said, “OK Lord, I’m going to try the U.S. That was one of my dreams.”

A Virginia consulting firm helped Baranyi find her job at Sara’s Garden. She is here on an 18-month work visa.

Living in America

Baranyi enjoys the attitude of the people.

“People are so free and flexible; they don’t complain. There are many friendly people and they want to help,” she said.

Learning English has been a little difficult because the Hungarian and English languages are so different from each other.

“I just ask people to correct me because I would like to speak well. The most troubling parts are the slangs and the idioms, but I really like them,” Baranyi said.

How does she like our food? She laughed and said, “I’m so hungry for Hungarian food!

My favorite American food is barbeque on the grill, salads, peanut butter . . . and I’m a pumpkin pie fan.”

She isn’t impressed with fast food, however.

Although there are some holidays that Americans and Hungarians celebrate, Baranyi is slightly confused by holidays such as President’s Day.

“Why do you celebrate the presidents?”

Since it was a national holiday she jokingly asked for the day off, but didn’t receive it. She is also really looking forward to celebrating Independence Day for the first time, because she “knows it’s a big deal here.”

What the Future Holds

When Baranyi’s visa expires in April 2009 she would like to continue to work as a conductor, possibly in Hungary.

“I feel sorry for my hometown because they need my help, but there is no place, equipment, or financial help” for a facility like Sara’s Garden.

She would consider a job in Europe. She will return home and then reapply for another visa if she wishes to return to the U.S.

Baranyi’s faith is what motivates her. She said, “I can’t stop. It’s just a gift that doesn’t come from me. I’m just a weak human and God wants to do something through me. “The reason why I do this is because I love the kids.”

We Tried Everything… Only HBOT Helped.

We Tried Everything… Only HBOT Helped.

“Two years ago I was diagnosed with a disease called RSD after I broke my arm. We tried lots of things to make it better because I was in pain all the time. We kind of lost hope because everything was making it worse… but once we found Sara’s Garden the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy helped tremendously and it was an amazing experience.” ES – Anderson, Indiana