CaiaJade’s journey with SOAR365 began in early intervention and continues in outpatient therapy.

*Please note: this story was originally featured in SOAR365’s Summer NEWZ publication. Click here to view the full newsletter.

A little voice sings, “Let’s go to the Sam!” It’s four-year-old CaiaJade, and she’s off to visit her long-time friend and physical therapist, Sam Cipolla at SOAR365. CaiaJade fondly calls the big, glass building at our Saunders location “the Sam museum.” It’s home to our Pediatric Therapy program – the largest provider of early intervention services in Central Virginia. 

CaiaJade started receiving early intervention services at just seven months old, even before she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. She and Sam worked on everything from holding utensils to taking her first steps. “Sam was the one who helped us with the gait trainer, so that she can learn how to walk. She has a lot of resources,” says CaiaJade’s mom, Chanae.  

Once CaiaJade turned three, she aged out of early intervention, but Chanae didn’t want to lose a therapist they both loved. The family chose to continue with Sam in outpatient therapy and soon added Megan Pesci to her team for occupational therapy.  

Together, Sam and Megan help her with balance and coordination – skills like getting out of the car, picking up toys, threading beads or dressing herself. And she’s taking off!

Recently, CaiaJade was practicing walking up the stairs with Sam’s support. “Sam told her, ‘You can hold my hand or my finger. If you don’t want to hold my finger, I can hold the back of your pants.’ CaiaJade said, ‘I’ve got it!’ and swatted her hand away,” recalls Chanae with a laugh.  

But her laughter soon turns to happy tears, when she reflects on CaiaJade’s progress. “At one time, the doctors said she wasn’t going to walk. To see her do that now is amazing, and I have Sam and SOAR365 to thank.”  

 “If you were to read CaiaJade’s medical history, you would not expect to meet the child that walks in the door,” says Sam. “She’s so funny and bright and inquisitive. She’s a really hard worker.”  

“If you get an organization like SOAR365 and a community that will advocate for you and your child, there’s always hope,” says Chanae. 

Every day, more children like CaiaJade are being diagnosed with developmental disabilities in Virginia. That number is expected to grow from 20,202 in 2018 to over 40,000 by 2030, based on historical annual growth rates. The sooner children receive services, the better the outcomes.