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A letter from Cortney

While I typically speak in this newsletter aboutthe company status of KidsCare Therapy and what

is going on in our community, I want to take theopportunity of this newsletter to write to you aboutsomething a little different. About a year ago, I tookan opportunity that has changed my perspectiveon many things, including my leadership of thiscompany and my position within the community.I want to share my experiences of traveling withyou as a reminder of the large needs that stretchbeyond our city walls, and to bring you the excitingnews that the impact we are making in the DFWarea has sparked a worldwide initiative not only inmyself, but in many others. Of course, continuing tohelp those here at home remains a top priority, but

through students, therapists, educators, and manyother volunteers, the impact we have made here inthe DFW area has trickled and is making an impacton the world.The healthcare needsof children throughoutthe Dallas-Fort Wortharea is a cause in whichI am very passionateabout, and a cause inwhich I have tried to

build KidsCare Therapyaround. I am proud ofthe accomplishmentsthis company has made,and of the help we haveprovided to so manyaround the area. I amblessed to have had theopportunity to see thiscompany grow into whatit has, and feel very fortunate for it. However, overthe past year I have felt a calling to use my skill setto help those beyond the walls of KidsCare Therapy,

and have been fortunate enough to have a fewopportunities to participate in great organizationsthat help others not just here in DFW, but aroundthe world.

My journey began with my initial trip to Chinathrough an organization called East-West Ministries,but deciding to make this trip to a remote portion

of the world was not an easy decision. My doubtssometimes outweighed my decision, and even atthe airport I admit to having thoughts of turningaround. However, once I arrived in China therewas no turning back. I participated in a youth

leadership program forChinese university-agedstudents through theircollege where I taughtabout American cultureand assisted in helpingperfect conversationalEnglish skills. This wasan amazing experiencefor me, as it was agroup that I felt I reallyconnected with. I camehome from this tripwith great memories,lessons learned, and astrong desire to return.In February of this year

I went back to China, this time to teach businessprofessionals about western business practices.While this was a more formal lecture-type series,

Volume IV, Issue 3 : 2012

Take a look inside!

A Letter from Cortney ......................... 1

Mother Daughter Tea Party ............... 2

EYE Can Swim ....................................3

Ronald McDonald House Volunteers ...3

Central Texas Branch Opens ...............3

Refer A Friend ....................................4

Facebook Prizes .................................4

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(continued) I enjoyed the opportunity to sharemy culture and what I had learned through theformation of KidsCare Therapy with others, andof course learn about their culture as well. I mustadmit that once I started the trips they became

contagious - so much so that this year my son andI will be going to Zambia, Africa to teach orphans.Abandoned children are a large problem in thisculture, and I am excited about the opportunity tohelp, as well as for the challenges that are sure tocome with this trip.

My reasons for my travel are the same as myhopes for what comes from them. I hope that asa mother I can inspire my children to reach outand experience the world with an open mind tothe differences of others, and a realization of theproblems and how they can make a difference. As a

business owner I am aware that I have been giventhe opportunity and responsibility of a leadershipposition that gives me a platform to promote causesthat are near and dear to me. My hopes are that Ican inspire not only the employees within KidsCareTherapy, but the community, to embrace the skillsand passion that each have been given, and to useit to make the world a better place in any way thatwe can.

I am fortunate that so many of the people I amsurrounded with in this industry have found a wayto do this in their daily lives through their work, and

as I mentioned before their passion has not onlyinspired me, but many others to make an impact.

- Cortney Baker

For more information on opportunities for you toget involved, please visit http://www.eastwest.org/ for East West Ministries. You can also ndmore information about opportunities to serve inZambia at www.familylegacy.com. In addition,there is another great organization called CLASPInternational that takes therapists to othercountries to provide medical services. We are proudthat the founder of this organization is ShannonRaby, a former KidsCare Therapy employee, andlove to stay in touch with the recent trips she takes.For more information on this organization, checkout www.claspinternational.org

Mother Daughter Tea Party

This past May, the Frisco Womens League invitedKidsCare Therapy to the Mother & Daughter Tea2012. Jennifer Morgan, Clinical Director, brought her

daughter Abby Morgan (shown below) to the eventlocated at the Embassy Suites in Frisco. The eventwas described by Jennifer as, Fabulous, it was likewalking into a Candy Land wonderland, especiallywith Queen Frostine there!. The tea party includeda silent auction, portrait photographer, WhimsyCandy Carousel, getaway weekend rafe, kidsrafe, style show, hat contest and a contest for MissFrisco. Whew!

The event proceeds, acquired through the silentauction, rafes and sponsorships, will benet theupcoming Hope Park; An Inclusive Play Adventure!KidsCare Therapy will be sponsoring the texturedmap located within Hope Park. The park willbe designed to integrate special needs childrenincluding those with sensory issues, speech,developmental and physical delays. We will keepyou all updated on the progress of the park, sincethey have offered KidsCare Therapy an opportunityto volunteer at the build site.

For more information on how you can get involvedin the Frisco Womens League please visithttp://www.friscowomensleague.org/ or for more

information on Hope Park please visit,http://hopeparkfrisco.org/.

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Ronald McDonald HouseVolunteers

KidsCare Therapy prides itself not just onproviding quality healthcare to kids, but also forits philanthropic participation in the communityin which we love so much! Thats why a group ofKidsCare Therapy employees spent their Monday

doing what we love, helping children and theirfamilies. With kitchen utensils ying, a groupcooked quesadillas, tacos, and sides for a wonderfulMexican feast at the Ronald McDonald house inDallas. Through the support of volunteers anddonors, Ronald McDonald house provides familieswith hospitalized children private lodging, meals,transportation and entertainment. We had a blastworking with this great organization, and we hopeto have the opportunity to participate again inthe near future! For more information on RonaldMcDonald house Dallas and how you can getinvolved, please visit http://www.rmhdallas.org/.

Central Texas Branch OfciallyOpensKidsCare Therapy has ofcially opened a branchofce in the Central Texas area. We are excitedabout this announcement, as it conrms our growthand establishment into this new market. Withcontracts for all of the Medicaid HMOs in Waco

and the surrounding areas, a growing number ofwonderful therapists, and the great ethical andquality healthcare KidsCare Therapy is known forproviding. We have experienced exciting growthand a warm welcome from the Central Texascommunity. We look forward to a long relationshipwith the medical community in this area.The Central Texas branch ofce is located at5400 Bosque Blvd, Suite 260, Waco, TX 76170.Our Central Texas branch services the followingcounties: Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Hill,Limestone, McLennan.

KidsCareTherapy.com

EYE Can SwimThe Department of Assistive and RehabilitativeServices (DARS) Division for Blind Services is backat it for their fourth annual EYE Can Swim event inLancaster, Texas with high expectations to surpassthe 285 DFW community members that attendedlast years record breaking event. This is an eventthat we look forward to each year at KidsCare

Therapy, and we are proud to be sponsoring it againin 2012.

For another year, special needs kids, siblings,parents and volunteers will cool off at the LancasterRecreational Center in Lancaster, TX for two daysof aquatic therapy, food and fun for all. Each day,children with vision problems and other disabilitieswill enjoy a 45 minute aquatic therapy session withassistance from volunteer therapists, parents andmembers of various agencies. This year KidsCareTherapy will be leading both of the days therapysessions with our very own therapists, and we are

all ready with a group of volunteers to help out!

The therapy will include various in water activitiessuch as wall pushes, ball throwing, and specializedmovements on toys such as noodles and swimboards to improve strength and motor skills forchildren ranging in ages and disabilities.

DARS Division for Blind Services assists childrenand adults with a wide range of vision problemsby helping them to integrate themselves into thecommunity and lead a normal life through trainingand providing assistive technology.

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KidsCare Events

August 2Mayors Back to School Fair / Fair Park

August 414th Annual Hispanic Wellness FairAmon Carter Exhibit Hall

August 4Healthy Family 2012 / Grand Prairie

August 4Family Kickoff Event - Autism SpeaksFort Worth Central Library

August 10-11CEU Course / Dallas Ofce

August 11All Peak Prep Back to School Health FairPeak Preparatory Gym

August 11WIC Resource Fair / Vida Life Church

August 25Providers Associations Community Health Fair

Double Tree by Hiltion

August 3111th Annual IM KickOffCook Childrens Medical Center

September 8Resource FairTexas Baptist Home for Children

September 14Dallas Therapist Meeting / Dallas Ofce

September 21Fort Worth Therapist Meeting / Ft. Worth Ofce

September 22Walk of Apraxia of Speech / Bachman Lake Park

September 26Flunch / Dallas Ofce

September 28-29CEU Course / Dallas Ofce

September 293rd Annual Pleasant Grove Harvest FestivalEasteld College Pleasant Grove

October 8Shriners Golf Tournament / Dallas Atheletic Club

October 19CEU Course / Dallas Ofce

Scan with your smartphoneto visit KidsCare Therapy onFacebook

KidsCareTherapy.com Dallas (214) 575-2999 Fort Worth (817) 546-8661 Central Texas (254) 751-0253

KidsCares New Hires

MayAnabella, Therapy Service Coordinator FWMartha, SLP DallasStephanie, OT Fort WorthColleen, OT WacoJessica, SLP DallasSharon, OT Dallas

Mindy, Intern-SLP Waco

JuneKim, Community Relations Coordinator DallasSherami, Translator DallasKarol, Receptionist DallasMarcia, OT DallasLori, OT Dallas

Refer a Friend

Congratulations Quinn Norwood, the

most recent winner of the KidsCareTherapy Refer a Friend promotion.As the winner, Quinn received a twonight vacation in Hilton Head, SouthCarolina for two, with hotel andairfare included! The next winnerwill receive a two night trip to NewOrleans for two - so be sure to emailKrystal Szczsponik at KSzczsponik@KidsCareTherapy.com if you knowany licensed PTs, PTAs, OTs, COTAsor SLPs interested in an exciting career opportunity.

Contest ends September 14th, so get your referralsin today!

Facebook Prizes!

Here at KidsCare Therapy we love to interact throughsocial media. We think its a great, fun way to provideresources, education, and community events, as well as tostay in touch with each of you. But our love for Facebookshouldnt be one-sided! Thats why we have started ourweekly Facebook trivia games each week we post a trivia

question and send out prizes to random respondents. Itsour way of staying in touch, and thanking each one ofyou for all that you do. So like us on Facebook and startwinning some prizes!