Physical Therapy—BFit Exercise Program for Children with Disabilities

Nine-year-old Emma felt sad when she could not join her friends to play sports. She was in a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination. Today, she’s using a walker more and able to participate in movement exercises thanks to BFit, a program her parents discovered at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Springfield, Mass. BFit is a unique power-based exercise program provided by UHart Professor of Physical Therapy Mary Gannotti and XX of her students in partnership with clinicians from Shriners Hospitals—Springfield. Parents, Beth Waters and Isabel Belén share their experience of the BFit program. Hear from: Mary Gannotti | Professor of Physical Therapy explains the program Omosefe Oronsaye ’15, PDT’18 | Doctoral Student in Physical Therapy George Gorton | Director of Research, Planning & Business Development | Shriners Hospitals for Children - Springfield Denise Gloekler | Director of Rehabilitation Department | Shriners Hospitals for Children - Springfield Becca Cameron ’15 DPT’18 | Doctoral Student in Physical Therapy As the discuss the Benifits, Impact and their experience of being part of the BFit program. Shriners Hospitals for Children | Springfield, MA | www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org Department of Rehabilitation Sciences https://www.hartford.edu/academics/sc... College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions https://www.hartford.edu/enhp University of Hartford https://www.hartford.edu