CORAkids and CATS’ partnership makes access to equipment possible for children to receive the quality care they need and deserve to shine.
On October 6, 2020, CORA Physical Therapy and CORAkids received recognition and appreciation from Children’s Assistive Technology Service (CATS), a Virginia non-profit that provides adaptive equipment to children with disabilities at no-cost. CORA Physical Therapy has been a $5,000 annual sponsor for the past two years and has supported CATS mission in Southwest Virginia. CORAkids is the pediatric arm of CORA Physical Therapy, providing physical, occupational and speech therapy to children at five locations: Blacksburg, Roanoke, Vinton, Daleville and Rocky Mount.
CORAKids became involved with CATS because of CATS founder, Cathie Cummins. Cummins was an employee of Professional Therapies of Roanoke (PTR) before it became CORA Physical Therapy. While working at PTR, Cummins, a physical therapist, noticed the need for a no-cost solution to provide adaptive equipment for children with disabilities. She started CATS and was supported by her co-workers which included Meghan Owens, Nancy Butts and Ron Greer of CORA.
The pediatrics team at CORA continues to regularly collaborate with CATS to help meet the needs of children when health insurance or equipment costs limit their ability to receive the care they need and the care they deserve. The partnership between CORAkids and CATS remains dedicated to fundraising initiatives that help make opportunities possible for kids who need to be learning and doing in order to shine bright.
Meghan Owens, Director of Pediatric Services for CORA, stated:
“One of the great things about CATS is that they have similar core values and principles – CORA strives to serve everyone and increase accessibility to therapy services where CATS strives to make necessary therapy equipment accessible to all. We both focus on functional outcomes and giving the children the ability to perform everyday tasks.”
This week the CORAkids team was granted a guided tour of the new CATS facility located at 12801 Moneta Rd, Moneta. New procedures have been put in place to ensure that any donated equipment is completely sanitized and stored properly, according to COVID-19 policies and CDC recommended guidelines. Due to CORA’s continued support and passion for CATS in their mission to serve the needs of children, the team from CORA received the honor of being the first company recognized on the Wall of Honor at the new facility.
Later this month, CATS plans to launch its 4th Annual Hallowheels FUNdraiser. Families across the Commonwealth, VA region whose kids depend on wheeled mobility will be competing in a Halloween costume contest. The public can participate virtually on the website at www.atdevicesforkids.org from Oct 26th to Nov 1st. Cummins will also be a guest on CORAkids weekly story time on October 27th at 5:00 pm. Viewers can tune in to Weekly Story Time on CORA Physical Therapy’s Facebook Page.
About Children’s Assistive Technology Services
Children’s Assistive Technology Service (CATS) (www.atdevicesforkids.org) provides for the re-use of pediatric rehabilitation equipment and assistive technology devices in Virginia. CATS serves as a no-cost resource for children with disabilities who need adaptive equipment and whose families have limited resources. The mission of CATS is to provide opportunities for children with disabilities through equipment re-use. Families help families by passing on gently used pediatric adaptive devices and mobility equipment to meet immediate needs at no cost.
About CORA
CORA Health Services, Inc./CORA Physical Therapy (www.coraphysicaltherapy.com) is an outpatient rehabilitation company that uses proven clinical practices and cost effective treatment protocols to return patients to their jobs and lifestyles as soon as possible. Their clinics offer a complete range of treatment, including outpatient physical therapy and general rehabilitation, worker’s compensation therapy, sports and auto injury rehabilitation, and rehabilitation for seniors. CORA operates more than 210 clinics in nine states: Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, including specialty clinics under the Body Gears brand.
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