Newsletter

October 2024

We put our heart in everything we do.

Giggles the giraffe

Celebrating National Physical Therapy Month​

October is National Physical Therapy Month, a time to celebrate the transformative power of physical therapy, especially for children with medical challenges and special needs. Physical therapy plays a vital role in improving mobility, building strength, and enhancing overall quality of life. For many children, it offers the opportunity to overcome physical limitations, develop independence, and gain confidence through personalized care plans.

How Physical Therapy Helps Medically Fragile Children

Physical therapy provides essential support for children with mobility challenges, chronic conditions, or developmental delays. It helps improve muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination, which are important for everyday tasks like sitting, standing, or even breathing more easily. Therapists work with each child to set individualized goals, focusing on improving safe movement and encouraging independence in daily activities.

Promoting Health and Confidence

Physical therapy creates a structured pathway for children to build both physical and emotional strength. By addressing mobility issues, it not only enhances their physical health but also boosts their confidence. Every achievement, whether it’s taking a step or reaching for a toy—instills a sense of accomplishment. These victories help children feel more empowered and in control of their bodies and surroundings.

Creating a Supportive Environment for Therapy

Parents, caregivers, and therapists all play a key role in supporting a child’s physical therapy journey. Establishing a consistent and engaging routine helps children get the most out of their sessions. Therapists provide guidance to families on how to reinforce exercises at home, further boosting the child’s progress. Together, the team works to create a nurturing environment that supports the child’s goals.

A Path to Greater Independence

Physical therapy focuses on achieving longterm outcomes. With consistent therapy, many children improve their mobility, endurance, and ability to perform daily activities with less assistance. This increased independence enhances their quality of life, giving them more opportunities to engage in social activities, education, and other meaningful experiences.

As we celebrate National Physical Therapy Month, it’s important to recognize the incredible progress that children make through their dedication and hard work, along with the unwavering support of their families and therapists. Physical therapy provides not only physical improvements but also emotional strength and confidence, empowering children to achieve milestones that once seemed out of reach. This month reminds us of the resilience of these children and the lasting impact that physical therapy has on their lives.

News & Events

Trick or Trot - Fort Worth​

Free for all ages. The most popular community event at the National

Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is back. Join for live music, food

trucks, games and crafts, face painting, costume contests, candy

stations, and special community guests. Alice Walton Cowgirl Park,

1720 Gendy Street, Fort Worth, October 12 from 11am to 2pm.

For more information visit www.cowgirl.net

Rest in Plano - Plano​

Free for all ages. Step through the gargoyle gates and be transported to a Downtown Plano you’ve never seen before, if you dare. Rest in Plano (R.I.P.) Fest, a free Halloween-themed festival, returns Saturday, October 26 from 5–10:30pm. Explore eerie experiences along 15th Street including spectacularly spooky photo ops, creepy characters, thrilling performances, and live music on the McCall Plaza stage. For more information visit https://plano.gov/ripfest

Sweet Berry Farm Pumpkin Patch - Marble Falls​

Free for all ages. Scarecrow Stuffing, Hayrides, Texas Maze, Candycorn Maze, Barnyard Maze, Photos, Pumpkins, Ice Cream, and More! September 21st – November 3rd, 8:30am – 5:30pm on Saturdays. 1801 FM1980, Marble Falls, TX 78654. For more information visit sweetberryfarm.com/index.html

For current events visit us on Facebook

Illustration of case with red cross on it with Giggles and little toucan

Get Healthy with Giggles ​ ​

The Power of Reading

October is a perfect time to celebrate the power of reading! Reading isn’t just a fun activity—it plays a vital role in boosting a child’s mental, emotional, and cognitive growth.

Boosts Brain Development:

Reading strengthens language skills, improves concentration, and

sharpens focus. It encourages critical thinking and expands vocabulary, helping children excel academically. The more they engage with books, the more their brains develop and thrive.

Enhances Emotional Health:

Stories allow children to explore different emotions and understand new perspectives. Reading builds empathy as children connect with characters, helping them navigate their own feelings with confidence. Books can also provide comfort, making emotional challenges easier to manage.

Different Ways to Read:

Today, children have many ways to enjoy reading. Whether it’s through traditional books, audiobooks, or e-books, every format offers unique benefits. Physical books provide screen-free engagement, audiobooks allow for active listening, and e-books offer interactive experiences that keep children interested.

Reading encourages creativity, supports learning, and builds emotional resilience. Let’s encourage our children to explore the world through books and create a love of reading that lasts a lifetime. This month, help them pick up a story and see them grow in confidence, imagination, and knowledge!

Resources

VIVA Pediatrics Resources​

In an effort to help our families, we constantly strive to provide them with relevant and helpful resources and information. Visit our resources page online at:

www.vivapeds.com/resources

For current events visit us on Facebook.

www.facebook.com/VIVAPeds

Care Starter App​

The Connections App is a complete resource guide for families of kids, teens and adults with special needs. Their goal is to help you find providers, organizations and other resources in your community to help you along your path of care. Download the CareStarter App now! www.carestarter.co/connectionsapp

The Parker Lee Project​​​

The Parker Lee Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families of children with medical needs obtain the necessary supplies & equipment, education, and support they need. While most supplies are covered by insurance, some are not, or not enough supplies are provided. If you have a need for medical supplies or have supplies to donate, please visit their website at www.theparkerleeproject.org

Texas Star Kids​​​

The Texas’ Star Kids mandate threatens the lives of our weakest and most vulnerable little citizens. Join us in standing up for those who have no voice. Click this link to sign up: www.facebook.com/ProtectTXFragileKids

For more info visit:

www.protecttxfragilekids.org

Thrive Magazine​​

Need Resources for your child with special needs? Thrive Magazine shares resources and stories of other families in the DFW area who are living and thriving with special needs. www.dfwchild.com/thrive/directory

Recognize a VIVA Star​​

Viva Pediatrics has an Employee Rewards and Recognition Program to thank and recognize employees that go “above and beyond”. Both employees and patient families are welcome to recognize a VIVA employee! Call one of our offices and let us know if a VIVA employee has gone above and beyond!

Food for Thought

Little Mummy Wrapped Hot Dogs

Mummy Hot Dogs ​

Ingredients​

1 (8-ounce) Can Crescent Roll Dough

2ó Slices American Cheese

10 Hot Dogs

Cooking Spray

Candy Eyes

Instructions​

  1. Heat oven to 375°F.
  2. Unroll dough. If using crescent rolls, separate at perforations, creating 4 rectangles. Press perforations to seal. If using dough sheet, simply cut into 4 rectangles.
  3. Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut each rectangle lengthwise into 10 pieces, making a total of 40 pieces of dough.
  4. Slice cheese slices into quarters (the ó cheese slice, will be cut in half ).
  5. Pair one hot dog and one cheese slice, then wrap 4 pieces of dough around them to look like mummy wraps. Slightly stretch the dough to cover the hot dogs completely. About ó inch from one end of each hot dog, separate the dough so hot dog shows through for the mummy’s face.
  6. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
  7. On a large, ungreased cookie sheet, place wrapped hot dogs (cheese side down) and spray dough lightly with cooking spray.
  8. Bake 13 to 17 minutes or until dough is light golden brown and hot dogs are hot. Once they come out of the oven, add two candy eyes to the face openings.

Enjoy!

View Original Recipe

Just for Giggles!

What do you call a witch’s garage?

Young cartoon witch riding broom with cat

A broom closet!

Giggles the giraffe