DENNISON—Twin City Hospital’s Pediatric Wellness Program recently received a grant of $22,637 from the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeastern Ohio (RMHC-NEO).  The grant allowed the Pediatric Wellness Program to begin a specialized fitness program for children with special needs.  Titled, “Fitness Just for You!,” the innovative project is the first of its kind in Tuscarawas and surrounding counties.

            Twin City Hospital Pediatric Wellness Program Director and physical therapist, Sally K. Bonner, designed the Fitness Just for You! program to be used by children with any type of disability including spina bifida, Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, and autism.  For a nominal fee, children participate in twice weekly, one-hour fitness training sessions that are designed specifically to meet the children’s needs.  “As a therapist, I know the movement patterns these kids need, and it’s important to teach fitness to them at a young age so that they can continue to live healthy, active lives long into adulthood,” explained Bonner.

            Thanks to the grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeastern Ohio (which was received thanks to the support of Virginia Lewis, RMHC-NEO Chairperson and owner of several local McDonald’s restaurants), Twin City Hospital was able to purchase fitness equipment designed for use by disabled children.  Purchased equipment included an interactive sport wall, mini trampoline, elliptical trainer, rowing machine, treadmill, recumbent bike, arm ergometer, dance energy pack, skier and more.

            Bonner and her Fitness Just for You! program staff of Mary Ellen Bailey, PT, LeAnn Schaar, PTA, and Amy Tischer, PTA, have already seen positive results in the children who have participated.  “We want to thank RMHC-NEO for their ongoing support, including the first grant we received from them (in 2002) for Snoezelen Room equipment,” said Bonner.  “We’re grateful for all that they have done and have continued to do for our children.”

Lewis noted, "Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeastern Ohio and Twin City Hospital's Pediatric Wellness Center share a common thread in our missions:  to have a positive impact on the quality and value in the lives of children and their families. We are extremely pleased to be able to assist Twin City Hospital as they provide much needed services to area children and families."

The Fitness Just for You! program is currently planning to start a new fitness session for children with cerebral palsy and mild cerebral palsy.  To get more information or to register your child, call Bonner at 740-922-4231.