Amazing Kids Fall 2013

Expanded Services: Outpatient Behavioral Health

Generations of Donors • Where Are They Now? • Fall Annual Appeal

inside

Rememberingthe Past. . .Shaping the Future

amazlngkldsFALL 2013

� 2 | AmazingKids FALL 2013

feAtures

4 A looK bAcK

Over a century of service creates

a foundation for the future.

14outpAtient behAVioriAl

heAlth serVices

The Children’s Institute expands its

continuum of care to offer outpatient

behavioral health services.

17 fAll AnnuAl AppeAl

Learn more about how you can help

our amazing kids.

depArtments

15 Where Are they noW?

16 neWs briefs

18 donor profile

20 donor eVents

21 WAiting Kids

22 community cAlendAr

24 shAring our KnoWledge

25 boArd of directors

26 AmAzing Wish list

credits

david K. miles, med, mpm

President and CEO [email protected]

helene conway-long, mbA, cfre

Vice President, Institutional Advancement [email protected]

erica tony

Marketing and Communications [email protected]

Writing

Cosgrove Communications, LLC

design

Dymun + Company

photography

Josh FranzosAnna Lee-Fields

Fall 2013

on the coVerAfter suffering a traumatic

brain injury, RJ came to

The Children’s Institute in

a coma, and was an inpatient

for seven months. This

vivacious youngster made

huge progress and is now

thriving in outpatient therapy.

4

14

SINCE 1902, The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh

has dedicated itself to supporting the life needs of children

and families with special needs.

amazlngkldsA publicAtion of the children’s institute

17

inside

FALL 2013 AmazingKids | 3 �

milesahead

Dear Friend,

As The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh prepares to launch more of the initiatives

outlined in our strategic plan, Vision 2016, it’s appropriate to look back at our first

111 years — and that is what we’ve done in this issue’s main story.

You’ll see that from our founding to meet the needs of one child… through the ravages of

the polio epidemic… to advocating for our convictions as the causes of autism were debated…

all the way up to today, those years tell a tale of change, drama, growth, responsiveness

and a willingness to evolve in productive — and sometimes surprising — new ways.

Today the pace of change is accelerating: this is a time of great medical advances, economic

pressures and societal transformation. Along with those external influences, we see

dramatic increases in the acuity and complexity of the kids we treat in The Hospital

and educate in The Day School, and for whom Project STAR finds “forever homes.”

Amid all the changes, our responses must still be individualized, effective, timely,

compassionate — and more creative and efficient than ever.

With support from the community, leadership from our Board and dedication from our staff,

we will continue to deal successfully with changes and challenges as we implement our

strategic vision, achieving our mission the way we did when we began: one child at a time.

Sincerely,

David K. Miles, MEd, MPM

President and CEO


Emile Terrenoire (bottom row, far left)and some of the first children who received treatment at the Industrial

Home for Crippled Children.

Over A

centuryOf servIce,

T BEgAn, AS MAnY gOOD

THIngS DO, with a perceptive

mind and an open heart.

The year was 1902. Emile Terrenoire,

5, had lost both legs in a tragic accident,

and his widowed mother wasn’t able to

provide the extensive care he needed

upon his release from the hospital. The

little boy’s future hung in the balance.

A kind and capable woman named

Mary Irwin Laughlin heard of Emile’s

a foundation for the future


Iplight. She learned that there were

other children in similar straits — and

immediately gathered some like-minded

friends to develop a long-term solution.

It wasn’t long before the balance

was tipped, with Emile among several

children receiving the era’s most

advanced medical and nursing

treatment, a good education and warm

caring in a gracious home on a quiet

East Liberty street.


Those early days at the “Memorial Home

for Cripple(d) Children” laid a strong foundation

for today’s Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh:

responding to real needs, and treating not

just a disability but an entire young person.

The Home grew rapidly. By 1905, it was

relocated to Squirrel Hill — the beginning

of today’s campus — and by 1908, as policy-

makers saw that the Home met needs not

addressed elsewhere, one-third of the

budget came from a State appropriation.

The rest came from open-hearted donors.

In 1916, a historic polio epidemic ravaged

the country. Entire families were

quarantined, fearful people avoided

public places and 25% of those afflicted

died. Those who

survived usually

needed extensive

care — and the

Home responded.

Soon up to 75%

of patients were

“infantile paralysis”

survivors, and they

received the latest

and best treatments,

including physical

therapy, massage

therapy, hydrotherapy,

bracing and orthopedic

surgeries.

A social worker and

a psychologist joined

the staff to help patients

and families deal with

emotional issues and to smooth the

transition between the Home and home,

and soon professionals from the new fields

of occupational and speech/language therapies

helped prepare young patients for independence.

Some of the children and youths were

well enough to attend Pittsburgh public schools,

and teachers from the school system came to the

Home to teach those unable to leave.

Paul Downs, 9, was one polio patient who

thrived. He was a handsome, strong lad who

didn’t let his wheelchair slow him down.

He lived and received treatment at the Home

for years, attending Schenley High School and

ultimately graduating from the University of

Pittsburgh. Later, he co-founded the accounting,

tax and business advisory firm that became

nationally known as Schneider Downs.

Through his adult life, he spoke affectionately

about the care he received, and the knowledge

and values the Home helped him develop.

Polio was conquered in the 1950s thanks

to work done in Pittsburgh, primarily

by Dr. Jonas Salk. Meanwhile, other

medical advances promoted the survival of

babies with congenital issues and children

with severe trauma. As a result, the Home

began to see more patients with issues such

as head injuries, cerebral palsy, spina bifida,

and significant developmental disabilities.

The change in patient population required

an even more comprehensive range of high-

level medical, educational, social, psychological

and pre-vocational programs, which the Home

soon implemented. A multidisciplinary team

approach — which quickly drew national

attention — was inaugurated, and a new

“coordinator” system was created.

He sPOKe AffectIOnAteLy

Of tHe cAre He receIveD,

AnD tHe KnOWLeDGe

AnD vALues tHe HOMe

HeLPeD HIM DeveLOP

Former resident of the Home,

Paul Downs, co-founder of Schneider-Downs.


Helen Paytok, Rn, LPT, joined the staff in

1959 as one of the first coordinators. She says,

“Our responsibility was to set up a child’s program

and work with everyone involved with the child

— the entire treatment team, parents, school

districts, and others — to ensure that each

young patient consistently received everything

he or she needed to make progress, and to

help make a smooth transition to home and

school once that became appropriate.”

Former Medical Director Dr. Anna

Chorazy smiles as she recalls being taken

aback by the strength of the team approach

she encountered when she joined the Home

in 1975.

“When I experienced these teams in action,

it was not like the medical model, where the

physician calls all the shots,” she recalls.

“nobody told me how to prescribe meds, but

when it came to other aspects of a child’s

program, I could be overruled. Each person

thought, ‘I can make the difference for this

child.’ They all thought they had the secrets.

“And know what? They did. All the kids I’d

referred over the years had done beautifully,

often far beyond expectations — and I came

to realize that the coordinated team approach,

with everyone so knowledgeable, was the

reason. It was a wonderful discovery. And it’s

still the approach used today.”

the Home was an early proponent of the

young field of “cognitive rehabilitation”

— re-establishing connections in an

injured brain. The newly formalized traumatic

brain injury program grew rapidly and soon

became a respected leader. A prestigious

national head injury conference was hosted

here, and staff and colleagues wrote and edited

the first comprehensive book on pediatric

head injury for the practitioner.


One early patient in the program was little

Peter Thornburgh, who suffered a severe brain

injury in an auto accident that took his mother’s

life. Peter had received plenty of love at home,

but nobody referred him to rehabilitation services.

Then ginny Thornburgh, newly married to

Peter’s father Dick Thornburgh, brought

Peter, almost 4, to the place that would

change his life.

That first day is one ginny will never

forget. “Helen Paytok greeted us with great

warmth,” she recalls,

“and soon an entire

team of professionals

was working with

Peter. He was

enrolled in the pre-school, and he received

occupational, physical and speech therapies.

He made marvelous progress, more than Dick

and I had dared to hope.”

Today in his 50s, Peter Thornburgh is a

contented man and a respected member of

his Harrisburg community. Although he still

deals with significant cognitive and physical

challenges, he lives with some independence

and quiet dignity in a supervised apartment,

and he volunteers every day at the Central

Pennsylvania Food Bank.

Meanwhile, education evolved at the

Home. The in-house school gradually

hired its own highly specialized

teachers. As The Day School, it became the

first private school in Pennsylvania to receive

accreditation from the national Commission

for the Accreditation of Special Education

Services.

Bill Bauer, who came to the School in 1969

as a special education teacher and retired in

2010 as Chief School Administrator, recalls

his early years, when the School had only six

classrooms. “Although the students dealt with

issues such as cerebral palsy, many were

cognitively at or near grade level,” he says.

“Some played chess, most learned subjects

like algebra, and most could eat and use the

bathroom independently.”

Some students were autistic — and, as with

cognitive rehabilitation, the Home was in the

Peter Thornburgh, one of The Children’sInstitute’s first patientswith a traumatic braininjury, then and now.

sOMe

InDePenDence

AnD QuIet

DIGnIty

NINE-YEAR-OLD KENADEE MCDIVITT IS A MEDICAL MYSTERY. A year ago, she was hospitalized after suffering seizures. She was treated for presumed Lyme disease, and eventually recovered.

Early this year, it happened again — seizures,vomiting, unresponsiveness — but this time it waseven worse, and Kenadee suffered significant braindamage from the episode, leaving her in a comaand with physical and cognitive issues. She wastreated and stabilized, but this time no diagnosiscould be made.

She came from an acute-care hospital to TheChildren’s Institute unable to sit, stand, speak or eat.Her vision was problematic, she had a blood clot inher left leg and she needed to be weaned carefullyfrom the drugs used for sedation in the ICU.

Along with intensive medical and nursing care, a comprehensive program of therapies began —physical, occupational and speech/language. Butyoung people at The Children’s Institute aren’t justpatients; they’re kids — so there was also plenty of recreational therapy for Kenadee, who loves Barbie, Monster High, crafts, and anything sparkly.

Her months at The Children’s Institute producedslow, steady progress. Kenadee’s personality re-emerged, and she began to take a few steps and speak a few words.

Today she is home in Franklin, two hours northof Pittsburgh. Still affected by her mysterious illness,she needs outpatient therapies but is enjoying lifewith her four younger siblings. Dr. Rachna Kapoor,

The Children’s Institute’spediatric hospitalist whomanaged Kenadee’s care,says, “She’s come a longway, and has made significant recovery.”

The family is waitingfor results of some genetic tests they hopewill reveal the cause of Kenadee’s illness.Meanwhile, her momKaylee Baker says, “Wewere told at the first hospital that Kenadeemight not survive or atleast might have troublewaking up from the coma— and, if she did, shemight never walk or feedherself. Now she’s accom-plished all those things. She’s doing really well andwe’re so glad we came to The Children’s Institute.”

forefront of successful treatment and education.

Bill Bauer says, “These were the days when

most people didn’t know what autism was.

Many professionals espoused the psychoanalytic

theory that

autism was

caused by

inadequate

mothering.

At the Home — renamed The Children’s

Institute in 1998 — we never believed that.

Instead, we championed the competing theory

— that autism has neurological causes — and

we treated and taught the kids accordingly.

Today that’s the only accepted theory.”

Major changes in the law — sparked by the

country’s first right-to-education suit, brought

in 1971 by the Pennsylvania Association for

Retarded Citizens — compelled public school

systems to accommodate students with

disabilities. They began with kids whose

disabilities were relatively mild — so those

students no longer came to The Day School.

As a result, the School increasingly enrolled

students with more challenging issues.

By the mid-1980s, it became clear that

children with special needs in institutional

settings required more adoptive homes than

were available — so The Children’s Institute

founded Project STAR. STAR is an acronym

for Specialized Training for Adoption Readiness,

a reference to the preparation needed by

families preparing to adopt or foster a child

with special needs.

Project STAR’s caseworkers soon proved

adept at identifying and preparing families

willing and able to provide safe and loving

homes for the kids.

A nInE-yEAr-OLdmEdICAL mySTEryrECOvErS

“MOst PeOPLe

DIDn’t KnOW WHAt

AutIsM WAs”



Emile Terrenoire, The Children’s Institute’s first-ever patientwent on to have a fine, full life. He worked for manyyears at Children’s Hospital,and, along the way, marriedand had four daughters.In the photo, Emile is surrounded by his wife Margaret (directly behindhim), and his daughters,Peggy Ritchey, Dorothy Lundy,Joan Ludchak, and LaraineEhrlich. He always spokehighly of “the Home”, and daughter Laraine says, “He’d love what it’s become today.”

today, 111 years since Emile Terrenoire

became the first patient, the

evolution of The Children’s Institute

of Pittsburgh continues.

Emile wouldn’t recognize today’s facility,

with its extensive Squirrel Hill campus that

includes an accessible playground and the

stunning 10,000-square-foot

nimick Family Therapeutic

garden.

Patients transferred from

acute-care hospitals in the

quad-state region arrive at The Hospital more

acutely ill and medically complex than ever.

Chief Medical Officer Maryanne Henderson,

DO, says, “We frequently see arriving patients,

particularly those with traumatic brain injuries

or severe spinal cord injuries, still in comas

and on ventilators, and we see medically fragile

young transplant patients who are on more

than a dozen medications.”

Outpatients are treated at the Squirrel

Hill campus and at three satellite facilities that

are more convenient for some families.

Specialty programs address other needs

and, along the way, develop and disseminate

new “best practices.” Among the programs

for example, is functional feeding for children

who cannot eat because of physical and/or

psychological issues, programs to treat chronic

pain and concussion, and the world’s only

comprehensive inpatient treatment program

for Prader-Willi syndrome.

Autism is a fact of life for many families

today, and The Children’s Institute responds

with a three-part program: a Hospital-based

Autism Service; research; and an extensive

program at The Day School — 10 classrooms

that have achieved great success in helping

kids “on the spectrum” greatly improve their

learning, communication and behaviors.

the Day School today also has 16 class-

rooms for students who have multiple

disabilities; five of those classrooms are

for students 18 to 21, with a focus on intensive

preparation for post-graduation activities —

for example, earning a salary in a sheltered

workshop.

The School’s nearly 200 students face

challenges more significant than ever; the days

of chess and algebra are over. Says Chief School

Administrator Cheryl Fogarty, EdD, “School

districts have greatly expanded their ability to

educate and care for students with disabilities

— so now it is only the children and young

people most severely involved, often with

multiple disabilities and some even on

ventilators, who come

to The Day School.”

In The Day School’s

classrooms, the staff-

to-student ratio is

extraordinary: one staff

member per three students, and in some

classrooms one staff member to two students.

That is a mark both of the individualized

attention students receive and of the extensive

care they require.

eMILe terrenOIre

WOuLDn’t

recOGnIze It

tHe DAys Of cHessAnD ALGebrA Are Over

MERCY WAS A LITTLE GIRL WITH BIG PROBLEMS.Born in Guatemala, she was adopted in America — and experienced abuse and neglect that left her with physical and developmental problems as well as severe emotional scars.

Then, at 26 months,she was adopted again,this time by a terrific Latrobe family witheight other kids, six of them adopted.

Mercy’s mom, Christine, says, “We were told that Mercy’shealth was so poor

she wouldn’t live for a year.” But the family kept nurturing the little girl, early intervention providedtherapies — and Mercy slowly began to improve.

Christine, a physician, came to suspect that the little girl might have another underlying condition —and she was correct. Mercy was found to have Rett Syndrome, a rare illness that causes young children to regress developmentally.

It was clear that Mercy needed more than the home schooling Christine and her husband provide their other children — and the family chose The DaySchool at The Children’s Institute. “We did a lot of research,” Christine recalls, “and it was the only place we found that could manage a child with complex issues like Mercy’s.”

At The Day School, 3-year-old Mercy began to learn — and had an intensive program of physical, occupational and speech/language therapies. Progress was slow but steady — and within a few years the child who had never taken a step was able to begin using a little walker.

From that point, her progress accelerated. Now 11, she is walking independently and

can feed herself. She uses an augmentative communication device, and proudly demonstratesthat she knows her alphabet, numbers and colors.

Mercy has defied the odds. With a loving family and exceptional care and learning at The Day School,she is not regressing as most kids with Rett’s Syndromedo; instead, she is progressing.

“We’ve been blessed in our association with The Day School,” Christine says. “They are excellent — so optimistic, so gifted. That’s what kids need,and they get it here.” �

LEArnIng +THErAPIES

+ LOvE= PrOgrESSFOr mErCy

Mercy is excelling beyond expectations at The Day School,with a great amount of support from her family, teachersand therapists.



In recent years, the work of Project STAR

has undergone a major shift — as well

as expansion into several additional

Southwestern Pennsylvania counties.

Research has shown that kids will do better

with their birth families than in foster or

adoptive homes — if the birth families can be

empowered, through building on

their strengths and providing

formal and informal supports,

to provide a safe and nurturing

atmosphere. The agencies that

contract with Project STAR have

asked STAR to help make that happen.

In response, STAR has implemented

several initiatives. Among them are Intensive

Family Support services, designed to

strengthen families in danger of losing

their children and to work toward reunifying

families whose children have been placed

in foster care. Caseworkers provide many

hours of in-home instruction, coaching, and

role-modeling. They also link families with

community resources in areas including

housing, transportation, job training and

substance abuse treatment.

The model Family Visitation Program,

with its extensive coaching and supervised

visits, is the centerpiece of reunification

efforts for families whose children have been

removed by the courts.

Many of those supervised visits take place

in the new Family Visitation Center located

on The Children’s Institute’s Squirrel Hill

campus. The two-family home, remodeled

to allow private supervised visits by multiple

families in a homelike atmosphere, promotes

productive visitation.

Project STAR’s reunification work has

a remarkable track record: 90% of families

are able to reunite in ways that are safe and

healthful for the kids.

A sHIft:

WOrK tO KeeP

fAMILIes tOGetHer

AT 23, BRITTANY SINNAMOND IS THE SINGLEMOM of two beautiful little girls, Addison (called Addi), 4, and Natalie, 3.

At 2, Addi was diagnosed with a rare illnesscalled meta-chromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) — an incurable condition that causes both muscle and

mental function to deteriorate. Brittanywas told her daughterwould not live to age 5.

Overwhelmed by circumstances, Brittany was homeless,disorganized, and indanger of losing herchildren. Then theWestmorelandCounty’s Children’s Bureau called in Project STAR.

The first prioritieswere housing and organization.Permanency specialistJen Ambrose arrangedfor Brittany and thelittle girls to live in

a cozy house in Vandergrift, and coached Brittany on organizing Addi’s complex schedule of medicalappointments, tube feedings, and other necessities.Jen drove Brittany, who lacked transportation, to many appointments at Children’s Hospital.

Other supports were put into place, including therapies and daytime nursing care for Addi, Head Start for Natalie, and in-home psychology sessions for Brittany.

It wasn’t long before Brittany met every goalset by Project STAR and the Children’s Bureau, and they were able to withdraw.

Today the spotless house is calm. Natalie hasbounced off to Head Start, a pleasant neighbor hasstopped by to say hello and Brittany is playing withAddi on the sofa. The little girl can no longer walkor see well, but she is happy, smiling at the sound of her mother’s voice and enjoying her gentle touch. Addi loves the music of Justin Bieber andMiley Cyrus, and Brittany is hoping one or bothcelebrities will agree to meet the child.

“Our life is so much better now,” says Brittany. “I really needed help to get back on my feet. Now things aren’t chaotic, we have a home and I can focus where I need to — on taking care of my girls and hoping that Addi will be with us for a very long time.” �

TurnIng CHAOSInTO CALm

— And BEnEFITIngTHE KIdS


After 11 decades, the signs of success

are everywhere. The Hospital holds

multiple accreditations from the

highly respected Commission on Accreditation

of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Honors

and accolades are frequent for The Hospital,

The Day School, and Project STAR. Members of

the staff regularly speak and present at national

and international conferences. Research —

often in partnership with colleges and

universities — is robust and productive.

Success, however, is best measured child

by child, family by family, day by day. Even

early small achievements — for instance, a

single step or word from a child who could

not walk or talk — bring great joy.

Despite financial stress during difficult

economic times, the Hospital maintains the

goal of never turning away a patient because

the family is unable to pay. That is because

of the extraordinary generosity of donors,

and those who volunteer their expertise —

on the Board of Directors and in other roles.

What is next for The Children’s Institute

of Pittsburgh? Some innovative new responses

to recently identified needs will soon be

announced — there will be more about these

in upcoming issues of this publication — and,

always, constant work to ensure that today’s

and tomorrow’s amazing kids and families

will receive the best possible care and

services… just as kids and families have

for more than a century. �

Fred Rogers, picturedhere with a formerDay School student,was always a goodneighbor to The Children’s Institute, frequently visiting our amazing kids.

success Is best MeAsureD

cHILD by cHILD, fAMILy by

fAMILy, DAy by DAy

Photo by Jim Judkis.


Behavioral Health Services

— also called psychological

services — have long been

offered to young inpatients at The

Children’s Institute. now, as the first

step in a phased expansion of the

services, they are available to existing

outpatients with diagnoses of

chronic pain and/or concussion.

Director of Psychology Heather

Ufberg, EdM, PsyD, says, “We often

see children and young people who

have chronic pain, and we provide

support to help them cope with both

the pain and the stress it causes.

“Concussion can have a great

impact on everyday life — for example,

with headaches, light sensitivity,

problems with concentration, inability

to attend school and maintain a

social life, fatigue and more. When

those issues don’t resolve quickly,

there’s a considerable adjustment

process — and we help with that.”

The next phases in the expansion

of the services will probably include

offering them to outpatients with

other diagnoses, and to children

and youth served through The Day

School and Project STAR.

Dr. Ufberg says, “Many kids

with congenital and acquired health

challenges have emotional issues

as well as physical healthcare needs

— and promoting both physical and

emotional health is an important

part of helping children and young

people achieve their maximum

possible independence and ability

to cope in the world.”

Among the services provided

by the Behavioral Health staff are

counseling/psychotherapy, neuro-

psychological evaluations and

psychological evaluations. Depending

on the individual needs of the child,

the clinician will use a variety of

therapeutic tools and techniques

such as stress management skills,

behavioral therapy, parent guidance,

school consultation, cognitive

behavioral therapy and more.

The Children’s Institute is a

participating provider with the

behavioral health plan networks

of Highmark, UPMC Health Plan

and Community Care Behavioral

Health Organization.

The Behavioral Health services

contact number is 412.420.2362. �

a community assessment revealed an unmet health need

among some southwestern pennsylvania children and

young people — and the children’s institute of pittsburgh

is expanding its continuum of care to address that need.

OutpatientBehavioral HealthServices Launched

Zakia Eberhardt, 6, is recovering from a traumatic brain injury incurred in an ATV accident. The injury produced some issues with attention and impulsivity, and Zakiaworked with Director of Psychology Heather Ufberg, EdM, PsyD. The little girl has made remarkable progress, and is now continuing her recovery at home.

?REMEMBER CHRISTOPHER

WOLFEnDALE — the engaging

young man who smiled and said

“I will be amazing” in the television

spots about The Children’s Institute

of Pittsburgh?

Christopher first said those

words back in 1997 when he was

14 and a student at The Day School.

His mom Kim smiles and says,

“People came up to him constantly,

even when our family was out of

town: once when we were on vacation

in Stone Harbor, someone said,

‘Hey! You’re that kid from TV!’”

Christopher incurred severe

brain damage when he was born

about 3 months premature.

“ They told us to make funeral

arrangements,” Kim recalls quietly.

But Kim and dad Jeff fought hard

— and so did little Christopher.

When he turned 5, his parents

brought him to The Day School,

where he received not only education

but intensive therapies, and where

his parents found some peace of

mind. “It had been a difficult few

years,” Kim recalls. “And I would

sit in the lobby, knowing that The

Day School was doing wonderful

things for him, and I would think

that I could breathe again… I am

so grateful for how much they

believed in Christopher and all they

did for him.”

Christopher thrived at The Day

School, graduating 9 years ago. Today,

at age 30, he lives at home with his

parents — his sister Brittney is a

Penn State sophomore — and has

aides to help him prepare for each

weekday and to care for him until

Kim and Jeff return from work.

He is proud to earn a modest salary

at the Wexford workshop run by

Mercy Behavioral Health.

He loves all Phil Collins music

and the movie Tarzan (with music

by Phil Collins, of course). And he

clearly enjoys his life.

Kim says, “Considering what

Christopher was given, what he

accomplishes every day is remarkable.

I think few could walk in his shoes.

He is still our amazing kid.” �

I will be amazing.

STOrIES OFAmAzING KIDS AND FAmILIES

“ ”

THE “AMAZING KIDS” ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN in which Christopher appeared has

just received major recognition. The Pittsburgh Business Times asked past and present

chiefs of Pittsburgh-based advertising agencies to select the most memorable

campaigns created by local agencies — and “Amazing Kids” is among them.

“Created by Gray Baumgarten Layport, this iconic campaign won the hearts of

people in western Pennsylvania and introduced them to our amazing kids,”

says Vice President of Institutional Advancement Helene Conway-Long.

“The campaign served as the foundation to our current campaign,

“Amazing Kids, Amazing Place” — which continues to focus on

our amazing kids, along with the place where amazing isn’t

just possible, it’s probable.”

CHRISTOPHER NOW

CHRISTOPHER THEN


CHrISTOpHEr WOLFENDALE

where they

now

newsbriefs


Sculpture from phipps

Comes to The Children’s InstituteThis Fall, The Children’s Institute will be home to a striking new glass sculpture.As part of its summer show, “Glass in the Gardens,” Phipps Conservatory and

Botanical Gardens invited well-known glass artists to provide special pieces. Among the artists was Pittsburgh’s Daviea Davis, who created 13 four-foot-tall glass mosaic towers, each depicting the work of a respected local nonprofit organization. The first tower Davis created was one representing The Children’s Institute.

Much of what she saw on her visit to the campus is included in the sculpture — for example, giant blocks on which children can climb, wheels representing the wheelchairs and walkers theyuse, eating utensils to celebrate themilestone of a child’s learning to lift a spoon or fork — and of courseexuberant giant sunflowers.

After the show, each sculpture will belong to the nonprofit it depicts.Once the sculpture is onsite, The Children’s Institute will determine the location most suitable for the new piece of art.

Day of Giving producesCommunity SupportThe Pittsburgh Foundation’s Dayof Giving is projected to producegenerous community support for The Children’s Institute once again this year. Scheduled for October 3, the 24-hour Day of Giving wasinaugurated to help motivatecontributions to the area’s nonprofitsby matching some portion of each gift up to $1,000. “We alwaysappreciate support at any level,”saysDeborah Desjardins, The Children’sInstitute’s Development Director, “and we’re delighted if the Day ofGiving helps the community knowabout the ways in which thisorganization benefits children and young people.”

Photo © Paul g. Wiegman

Photo by Thom Britt

pirates Open Their Hearts for KidsAt the start of the baseball season,Pirates Charities and ROOT SPORTSonce again opened their hearts to The Children’s Institute with Wins for Kids, which benefits thePrader-Willi Syndrome Program.

In Wins for Kids, fans either pledge any dollar amount they wish for each Pirates win, or makea one-time donation. This is the third year the team

and ROOT SPORTS have taken TheChildren’s Institute’s kids into theirhearts. Last year, the annual PiratesAuction on ROOT SPORTS raised$200,000 to benefit the organization

THIS PAST YEAR, nearly 6,000 children came

through our doors — children needing help to recover

from terrible accidents or illnesses, children with

autism and children without homes.

Their families ask us to mend, to teach, to comfort,

and save the one who means the most: their child.

Imagine being the parent to that child. now imagine

that you are unable to pay for their care.

That’s why your gift

matters — and the autumn

annual appeal is the ideal

time to provide it.

Since 1902, The Children’s

Institute has provided free

and uncompensated care to

children whose families who

have no insurance or whose

insurance benefits are limited.

Over the past decade alone

we provided more than

$40,000,000

of that care, and we could not have

done so without the support of

generous individuals, businesses,

and foundations.

That support allows us to carry

out our mission of improving

the quality of life for children,

young people and their families

— regardless of their ability

to pay.

You Can Help our Amazing Kids


In a few weeks, you will receivea letter asking foryour support. The

letter will feature thestory of a 5-year-oldboy named RJ, whocontinues to recoverfrom a brain injuryhe sustained a yearago. Please thinkabout RJ and all ofour amazing kids while youconsider what you might be able to do.

You can return your gift byenvelope, make a gift online or callthe development office at412.420.2204.

Our kids and families rely on The Children’s Institute, and we relyon you. Thank you for making an amazing gift!


“ charitable giving is important at every point in life,

and i always encourage people to include the children,s

institute in their estate planning. it,s an ideal way to

make a final gift to these amazing kids.

donorprofile

”

a L e g a c y o f

generosityH

The MacDougall family, left to right: Lizzy, Jamie, Annie, and Lanny.


it WAs A perceptiVe mind And open heArt

that led to the 1902 founding of the children’s institute by

mary irwin laughlin — and those same qualities have persisted

through generations of the laughlin family, whose members

have contributed financial support and their time and expertise.

ary Irwin Laughlin, the granddaughter of

one of the founders of Jones & Laughlin

Steel Corporation, quickly involved family

members in the young organization.

Her grandmother, Anne Irwin Laughlin, is

thought to have been on the first Board of Managers.

An uncle, Henry A. Laughlin, was a member of the

first Men’s Advisory Board; it’s likely that his wife

was one of the Home’s first Vice Presidents.

Her cousin, george M. Laughlin, Jr., was a

member of the Men’s Advisory Board, and his wife,

Henrietta Speer Laughlin, was an early member

of the Education Committee.

In addition to governance, the two cousins

provided considerable financial support —

Mary Irwin Laughlin an endowment of $30,000,

and george Laughlin a bequest of $25,000.

In today’s dollars, those contributions total

more than $1,200,000.

Mary Irwin Laughlin had no children, but

the family line continued through george.

Elizabeth Shaw Laughlin, the wife of george’s

son, george M. Laughlin III, was on the Board

of Managers in the early 1930s. Their daughter

Elizabeth married Allan MacDougall, Jr.; the

young couple became the parents of children

including Loraine MacDougall Miller, who

recovered from polio at The Children’s Institute

during the 1950s, and Allan “Lanny” MacDougall III,

a member of today’s Board of Directors.

Lanny, who lives

with his family in Ligonier

on the farm where he grew

up, is President of MacDougall

Financial Counseling, LLC,

specialists in advising individuals

and families.

He and his wife, Annie, have made

several gifts to The Children’s Institute, and

are charter members of the Mary Irwin Laughlin

Society, which recognizes donors who have included

The Children's Institute in their estate plans. He

says, “Charitable giving is important at every point

in life, and I always encourage people to include The

Children’s Institute in their estate planning. It’s an

ideal way to make a final gift to these amazing kids.”

The legacy of generosity continues in the family.

Lanny’s 17-year-old daughter, Elizabeth Laughlin

MacDougall — called Lizzy — volunteered this

summer at The Children’s Institute’s Camp Success.

And not long ago Lanny and several other

family members contributed two beautiful benches

for The nimick Family Therapeutic garden.

The Laughlin bench is dedicated to the memory

of their beloved grandmother and great-grandmother,

Elizabeth Shaw Laughlin.

And the MacDougall bench is inscribed with

what might well be the philanthropic motto of the

family for all its generations over the past century:

non nobis solum — not for ourselves alone. �

M


sunflower society donor eventWe can’t thank our donors enough forproviding direct and immediate supportto our amazing kids and families. On June 25, we took the opportunity tothank members of the Sunflower Society at a reception held in the beautiful NimickFamily Therapeutic Garden. The SunflowerSociety recognizes generous donors whomake a commitment to The Children’sInstitute of $1,000 or more during onefiscal year. For more information aboutbecoming a member of the SunflowerSociety, please contact Lauren Vermilion at 412.420.2204, or [email protected].

ligonier golf outing event“Golf for Autism” was held on June 22 at Seven Springs Golf Course to raise funds forThe Day School in honor ofMackenzie Evanovich, a studentin The Day School's Autismprogram. Many came to showtheir support for Mackenzie and all of our amazing kidsby raising over $2,000!

Jim and Judy Williams chat with former inpatientDavanna Feyrer and her parents, Dave and Minetta,all members of the Sunflower Society.

Sunflower Society members Jimand Carla Wilding.

donorevents

Sunflower Society members Kevin and Patricia Cain,pictured with David Miles, President and CEO.

One group of golfers enjoying the outing. Mackenzie with her father, Michael.

Donor Jim Williams, father of a former Day School student and Children’s Institute research volunteer, shared his family’s inspirational story.

remember us in your Will or trust!

You can create your ownamazing legacy of hope for children with complex needs by including The Children’sInstitute in your will or trust. Visit www.amazingkids.org/plannedgiving or contact Jill Murchak, Development Manager for Leadership &Planned Gifts, 412-420-2173 or [email protected] for more information.

Aaron, 14, would love to have a forever family

and an older brother or sister to hang out with and

look up to. He is courteous and gets along with his

peers at school, where he stays focused and has a

positive attitude. He enjoys playing games,

watching TV and playing outside. He is willing to

help out, and does best when he’s kept busy with

appropriate responsibilities or activities. Aaron

would benefit from a family that can provide

structure and stability, first as a foster home, and

later perhaps as a forever home. Aaron is legally

free for adoption.

mark is an energetic, positive 18-year old looking

for a forever family that can help him meet his goals.

He’s a high school student who loves the outdoors, and

who thinks he’d like to be a park ranger some day.

Mark would love to have a mom who can teach him to

make cupcakes, and a dad who can help him be an

outdoorsman, hunting and fishing and hiking in the

woods. Mark would do best in an experienced two-

parent family with a mom and a dad, and would be

best suited as the youngest or only child. He is legally

free for adoption.

For more information about Aaron or Mark, please contact Russ McCurdy at 412.420.3083 or [email protected].

children shine brightest in families. whether the goal is

adoption or reunification with birth families, project star

does everything possible to place children with safe,

nurturing, forever families. these children are just two of

the many who are waiting for homes to call their own.

waitingkids



NOVEmBEr

6 | 13 | 20 | 27Students of THE DAY SCHOOL

dismissed at 1:30 p.m.

Friday, NOVEmBEr 8In-Service DaynO schOOl for students of the day school

project STAr Family Support Group potluck**

mt. Olive church

2679 darlington road, chippewa

6:30–8:30 p.m.

monday, NOVEmBEr 11Veteran’s DaynO schOOl for students of the day school

Wednesday, NOVEmBEr 13Grand rounds: pediatric rehabilitation

the children’s institute

1405 shady avenue, pittsburgh

7:30–8:00 a.m. registration

8:00–9:00 a.m. Speaker

Continuing medical Education (CmE) available.

no registration is required.

For more information, please call 412.420.2270

Thursday, NOVEmBEr 14project STAr Adoption, Foster Care,

and respite Care Information meeting*



6:30–8:30 p.m.

Thursday, NOVEmBEr 21

project STAr Adoption and

Foster Care Information meeting*1598 virginia avenue, monaca

6:30–8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, NOVEmBEr 27Bill Toms & Hard rain

Concert to Benefit The Children’s InstituteFrankie’s, 5832 Forward avenue, squirrel hill

Thurs. & Fri. NOVEmBEr 28 & 29Thanksgiving BreaknO schOOl for students of the day school

OCTOBEr

1 | 9 | 16 | 23 | 30Students of the dAy school


Wednesday, OCTOBEr 9Grand rounds: pediatric rehabilitation








Thursday, OCTOBEr 10project STAr Adoption, Foster Care,




6:30–8:30 p.m.

Friday, OCTOBEr 11project STAr Family Support Group potluck**

mt. Olive church


6:30–8:30 p.m.

The Day School pumpkin patch Festival

Thursday, OCTOBEr 17project STAr Adoption and Foster Care

Information meeting*1598 virginia avenue, monaca

6:30–8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, OCTOBEr 23mary Irwin Laughlin Society Luncheonthe pittsburgh Golf club

For more information, please contact

Jill murchak at 412.420.2173.

Thursday, OCTOBEr 31The Day School Trick or Treating parade

communitycalendar


DECEmBEr

4 | 11 | 18Students of THE DAY SCHOOL


monday, DECEmBEr 2Thanksgiving BreaknO schOOl for students of the day school

Wed.-Fri., DECEmBEr 4-6The Day School Holiday Gift Shop

monday, DECEmBEr 11Grand rounds: pediatric rehabilitation








The Day School parent-Teacher Organization

(pTO) Staff Holiday Luncheon

Thursday, DECEmBEr 12project STAr Adoption, Foster Care,




6:30–8:30 p.m.

Friday, DECEmBEr 13project STAr Family Support Group potluck**

mt. Olive church


6:30–8:30 p.m

Thursday, DECEmBEr 19



6:30–8:30 p.m.

mon.-Tues., DECEmBEr 23-31Christmas Break nO schOOl for students of the day school

JANUArY

8 | 15 | 22 | 29Students of THE DAY SCHOOL


Wednesday, JANUArY 1Winter BreaknO schOOl for students of the day school

Wednesday, JANUArY 8

Grand rounds: pediatric rehabilitation








Thursday, JANUArY 9project STAr Adoption, Foster Care,




6:30–8:30 p.m.

Thursday, JANUArY 16



6:30–8:30 p.m.

The Day School Special Olympics

Bowling Event

monday, JANUArY 20martin Luther King Jr. DaynO schOOl for students of the day school

monday, JANUArY 27In-Service DaynO schOOl for students of the day school

fall 2 0 1 3

*Project STAR information meetings are a free opportunity to learn more about adoption, foster care, and providing short-termrespite care. To RSVP for a meeting, please contact Rob Henry at 724.544.8870, 412.244.3048, or [email protected].

**Training hours are available for Project STAR family support group meetings. Children’s activities will be provided. Please note that the family support group meetings are cancelled if there are minimal RSVPs. To RSVP for a meeting, please contact Luisa Rylott at 724.775.0209, extension 6030 or [email protected].


OUrKNOWLEDGEshAring

!

prESENTATION (CONFErENCE, EVENT)

Melissa Fryman, CTRSLeslie Paat, MOT-OTR/L, CLTAmerican Therapeutic Recreation Association Annual Conference, Partners in Play: Optimizing Outcomes for People with Prader-Willi Syndrome

Gina Salvatori, RD/LDNMarybeth Trapani-Hanasewych, MS, CCC-SLPMatt Bittner, MS, OTR/L, OTLeslie Borsett-Kanter, MD, FAAPErin Murray, MS, LPC44th Annual Autism Society National Conference and Exposition, Functional Feeding: A Team Approach

Feeding a Child with Autism: A Results-Driven Seminar,Functional Feeding: A Team Approach

Leslie Borsett-Kanter, MD, FAAPFeeding a Child with Autism: A Results-Driven Seminar, An Exploration of Medical, Sensory and Behavioral Feeding Difficulties

Michele Stein, MOT, OTR/L, SLT Cathy L. BrdarTracy Fox, SLTFeeding a Child with Autism: A Results-Driven Seminar,Learning to Eat and Eating to Learn: An Integrated Approach to Addressing Feeding Issues at The Day School

Scott Faber, MD44th Annual Autism Society National Conference and Exposition, The Treatment of Micronutrient Deficienciesand Immune Issues

Feeding a Child with Autism: A Results-Driven Seminar, The Treatment of Micronutrient Deficiencies and Immune Issues

pOSTEr SESSION

Roxann Diez Gross, PhD, CCC/SLPRonit Gisser, M.Sc. CCC-SLPEffects of High Dose Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementationon Swallowing Function in Head and Neck Cancer PatientsTreated with Primary Chemoradiation

WOrKSHOp

Kit Concilus, PT, MS, OCSCan Do MS, Program Leader,National CAN DO Multiple Sclerosis Program

TEACHING ENGAGEmENT

Jason Chippich, MPT, CSCSChatham University, Adjunct Faculty,Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Management of Pediatric Neuromusculoskeletal System Dysfunction

Roxann Diez Gross, PhD, CCC/SLPUniversity of Pittsburgh, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Sciences, Clinical Writing III

Theresa Miller-Ferri, MPT, PCS, University of Pittsburgh, Adjunct Faculty, Graduate School of Special Education, Positioning, Handling, and Mobility

Every day, staff members at The Children’s Institute help kids by putting knowledge to work. And, often, our staff

members share their knowledge with colleagues — through conferences, presentations, panels, speaking engagements

and other means. That’s a way of helping kids elsewhere, and helping to keep professional standards high everywhere.

Each issue of “Amazing Kids” lists some representative examples of knowledge-sharing from recent months.


boardofdirectors 2013-2014

CHAIRMichael J. Hannon

VICE CHAIRS

J. Keefe Ellis Jr.

Pamela W. Golden

SECRETARY

Lisa C. Fagan

TREASURER

Carolyn D. Duronio

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

David K. Miles, MEd, MPM

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICERMaryanne J. Henderson, DO

DIRECTORS

Marshall L. Balk, MD

Gregory B. Benckart

Romayne L. Botti

Susan L. Boyle

Christina Cardoso

Patricia Suzanne Chesko

John R. Denny

Shawn Fox

Holly Hatcher-Frazier, EdD

Joseph E. Imbriglia, MD

Jonathan M. Kamin

J. A. Katarincic Jr.

Ellen P. Kessler

Allan MacDougall III

James W. Marczak

F. Brooks Robinson Jr.

Susan Baker Shipley

Merrill P. Stabile

Nita Wadhwani

Michele M. McKenney

B. Gordon Nelson III

Barbara K. Nelson

Maureen S. O’Brien

Judy G. Papernick

James S. Pasman Jr.

Ruth S. Perfido

Patricia R. Rooney

Jean McD. Scott

Lea H. Simonds

Ann E. Sullivan

Harry A. Thompson II

Ginny Thornburgh

John K. Thornburgh

Jamee W. Todd

James W. Ummer

Farley W. Whetzel

Susan C. Williams

Margot B. Woodwell

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Nancy M. Armstrong

Thomas J. Bachman

Mary Florence Brown

Mrs. Davis C. Burroughs Jr.

Paulette P. Cantwell

Henry C. Cohen

N. John Cooper, DPhil

Sandy W. Côté

Ann H. Cutter

George M. Egan

Sheila C. Fine

Henry J. Gailliot

Lillian H. Goldsmith

George C. Greer

Joan M. Kaplan

Marcia L. Keehn

Pradeep K. Khosla, PhD

Eileen L. Lane

Ann M. McGuinn

Front row, left to right: Lisa C. Fagan, Secretary; Michael J. Hannon, Chair; David K. Miles, President and Chief Executive Officer; Pamela W. Golden, Vice Chair; J. Keefe Ellis Jr., Vice Chair. Back row, left to right: Susan Baker Shipley; F. Brooks Robinson Jr.; Romayne L. Botti; Susan L. Boyle; Jonathan M. Kamin;J.A. Katarincic Jr.; Nita Wadhwani; Patricia Suzanne Chesko; Marshall L. Balk, MD; Christina Cardoso.

Interactive metronome – The HospitalEven in The Hospital our amazing kids love to play! But

some of our children with autism and brain injuries suffer

from memory loss and short attention spans that make it

hard for them to participate. This fun, game-like equipment

helps children increase these skills. grant this wish to help

our amazing kids get back to what kids do best — play!

rifton Activity Chair – The Day SchoolAt The day School, we enable our students to become as

independent as possible. This takes a lot of practice and

the right equipment, like the rifton Activity Chair. This

versatile chair can provide our students with the perfect

height to work or eat at a table, and can be lowered to

practice transferring skills. give our kids the opportunity

to reach their greatest potential by donating today!

Toddler Toys – The HospitalOne of our favorite sounds is a toddler’s giggle! Play is

at the heart of pediatric therapy at The Hospital — it helps

children build strength and endurance. you can provide

toys for our little ones and help them laugh while they

work hard by providing this wish!

Wooden puzzles – The Hospital Occupational therapy is hard work, but at The Hospital

we do everything possible to make it fun! Help our kids

heal and develop their motor skills while playing with

puzzles. granting this wish will provide our patients

with an enjoyable activity that promotes their health

and rehabilitation.

$7,500

$3,865

$33413 toys

$180set of 12

you can have an amazing effect on the lives of children with special needs by helping to purchase vital

equipment. the children's institute's amazing wish list includes small to moderate requests that can

be fulfilled with a single gift. your donation will go toward the wish list item of your choice, and as

a donor, you will be listed in our annual report with the wish you fulfilled.*

WIsH LIstamazing

For more information

about donating fund

s

for the purchase

of an item(s) from

the Amazing Wish List,

please contact

Lauren Vermilion at 412

.420.2204

or [email protected].

*If the final cost of an item is less than the amount contributed, any remaining funds will bededicated to complementary needs or, if not possible, released into the general fund.



didyouknow?

81 number OF

FOundatiOns

we receivedfunds from

in Fy13

tOtal $ amOunt raised in Fy13

tOtal numberOF dOnOrs in Fy13

Our dOnOrS KEEP grOWIng

24number OFmembers in

mary Irwin Laughlin

Society

$3.2 mILLIOn

2,026

161number OFmembers in

SunflowerSociety

140number OF

cOrpOratiOns

who donatedin Fy13

missionThe Children’s Institute is an independent, licensed

nonprofit organization located in the Squirrel Hill

section of Pittsburgh that is dedicated to promoting

the quality of life for children, young people and

their families by providing a specialized continuum

of services that enable them to reach their potential.

The Children’s Institute was designed specifically

as a rehabilitation facility, and its administration

and staff are committed to increasing accessibility

for all persons. If you have accessibility concerns,

please call The Children’s Institute at 412.420.2485.

The official registration and financial information of The

Children’s Institute may be obtained from the Pennsylvania

Department of State by calling toll free within Pennsylvania,

1.800.732.0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

The Children’s Institute is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization,

contributions to which are tax deductible to the fullest

extent permitted by law.

ServiceThe Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh does not exclude, deny

benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any person on

the grounds of race, color, nation of origin, religious creed,

disability, ancestry, sex, age, sexual orientation or genetic

information in employment or in admission to, participation

in or receipt of the services and benefits of any of its programs

and activities, whether carried out by The Children’s

Institute of Pittsburgh directly or through a contractor or any

other entity whom The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh

arranges to carry out its programs and activities.

This policy statement is in accordance with the provision

of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of

the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act

of 1975, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,

Regulations of the U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services issued pursuant to the acts, Title 45 Code of Federal

Regulations Part 80, 84, 91 and other applicable Federal,

State, and Local Laws and Regulations.

For more information about this policy, please contact

Administration at 412.420.2400. For more information about

The Children’s Institute, please call 412.420.2400 or log on

to www.amazingkids.org. For TDD use, contact us through

the Pennsylvania Relay Service. Voice: 1.800.654.5988

TDD: 1.800.654.5984.

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPITTSBURGH, PAPERMIT NO. 748

1405 Shady Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15217-1350

If you would like to be added or removed from our mailing list, please call 412.420.2203 or visit our website at www.amazingkids.org/contact.When you ask to be removed from our mailing list, The Children’s Institute will make a reasonable effort to ensure you are not contacted again.The Children’s Institute does not sell, trade or forward mailing lists.

visit our website at www.amazingkids.org

Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thechildrensinstituteofpittsburgh

Follow us on twitter @amazingKidspGh

Please recycle this publication when finished.

In a few weeks, look for our Fall Annual Appeal

letter asking for your support. While you consider

what you might be able to give, please think about

all of our amazing kids who work hard every day

to overcome their personal challenges.

The children as well as their families rely on us.

And, we rely on you.

Thank you for making an amazing gift!

Give anamazing gift!

Over the past decade alOne we have

prOvided mOre than $40 milliOn in Free

and uncOmpensated care. that’s why

yOur help is sO impOrtant.

Amazing Kids Fall 2013

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Transcript of Amazing Kids Fall 2013