Testimonials

As you know, Emma started the camp using her tripod canes 100% of the time.  After four great weeks of therapy, Emma has started to walk independently.  She makes regular trips around our house without her canes and has even carried an empty laundry basket from our bedroom to the laundry room.   She was almost jumping up and down with excitement. As a family, we can't thank you and your staff enough for the bringing such a caring, supportive, and encouraging environment to Phoenix.  Thanks and look forward to seeing you again soon! – Gregory, father

“Without a doubt, this camp was of the high caliber in hands-on techniques and repetitious practices that we have been wanting for Seneka. We feel very blessed that we got the chance to have Seneka be a part of the group.  We know that it will take time and much work, but feel that the techniques are exactly what will work for her and that the goals will be reached.  We also feel that more of this type of expert therapy would be further beneficial to Seneka and look forward to next year.”  -Jan Ette, grandmother

I am a mom of a 4-year-old son who has participated in Conductive Education for the past year.  Our physical therapist that has worked with our family for four years strongly suggested that I look into the Conductive Education program to augment her therapies with Harry.

Not knowing a thing about the program, I contacted Mary Hare, and that may have been the single most important call I've made in the last year in terms of ensuring our son's progress developmentally.  My son has severe mobility issues and lacks communication skills.  There was a time when his brain damage was first diagnosed that the doctors prepared us for the worst in terms of Harry's potential.  At age 3, we began a summer program of 12 hours a week of conductive education.  The month that we spent in this program launched Harry to new highs in terms of his strength and ability to follow simple directions.  Upon his return to pre-school in the fall, his teachers and caregivers at home all remarked how far Harry had come over the summer.

There is no question in my mind that we participated in this program at just the right time for him, developmentally.  We continued on a one-on-one basis during the following spring, and even asked one caregiver to observe so she could follow the exercise routine at home, as we do as parents.  The staff is well qualified, from the top (Mary) to the conductors from Hungary, right down to the aides who help the children.  I was even impressed how the staff handled a situation where a student was having a seizure – they minimized the "panic" that could have been felt by other parents in the room while efficiently ensuring the child got immediate care through 911.

When I watch other children who also participate at conductive education, I see happy and calm on their faces.  Mary's staff and their kind hearts and enormous wealth of experience are the keys to such a caring and productive environment. – Anne Shiff

My son, Connor was born premature, 26 weeks gestation; he weighed only 1lb 9 oz.  Since then he has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, developmentally delayed (mentally retarded), blind, and seizure disorder.  When my husband, Aaron, and I planned to start our family we never could have imagined our lives would have changed so dramatically.  We knew when Connor came home it was going to be a lot of doctor’s appointments, therapy sessions, surgeries, etc.  After 8 years it has become just another normal day in our lives. 

Being born so early, Connor spent over five months in the NICU.  As his diagnosis came in they all seemed to have limitations attached to them, I like to call them the “medical nevers”; Connor will never be able to eat by mouth, Connor will never laugh, Connor will never sit on his own, Connor will never walk, the list just goes on.  The only never we brought home with us was, “we will never set limitations.” 

Five years ago, while living in Ohio, we were introduced to a new program called Conductive Education.  I was unsure if they would accept Connor into the program because of his blindness.  We started on a trial basis, the conductor adapted parts of the program for Connor.  Connor remained in the program for two years until we moved to Phoenix.  I have to tell you if there wasn’t a Conductive Education program in Tucson we would not have moved.  We brought Connor to GaitWay about 3 years ago for their summer program.  I was nervous about how he would do with a new group; I was like a parent whose son was trying out for the football team.  Tucson and GaitWay has become a second home, we travel as much as we can for Connor to participate in Conductive Education several times a year.

Many of my friends and family in Phoenix don’t understand why we drive to Tucson so often.  All I can say to them is that I know the program works for my child.  He gets more from a week of Conductive Education than a month of another therapy.  I have seen him try to stand when he is supposed to be sitting; I have seen him follow a direction given by a conductor. I know even though my son doesn’t walk yet, I have seen him initiate his own steps with a conductors help only to move forward, smile and laugh while doing it.  In just the last year Connor has started drinking from a straw and is sitting by himself for over a minute.  I know it doesn’t seem like much to another person but a parent who has heard all the “nevers” it is amazing.  Connor’s self esteem and want for independence continues to grow because of this wonderful organization.  GaitWay focuses on Connor’s abilities not his disabilities. By the way Connor has never had a g-tube and there is never a day that Connor doesn’t laugh.

GaitWay has not only helped Connor but has also helped us as parents to keep our promise to never set limitations.  They continue to encourage and support our family in so many ways.  

– Tammy Koopman

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Individual Achievements Association dba GaitWay is a 501(c)(3) not for profit Arizona corporation.