Schreiber Stories
If you’ve ever been to Schreiber, you know the place is full of amazing stories. The dedicated staff that works with the kids every day. An amazing team of volunteers, from the folks who help with office tasks to board members and committee members. And the families.
Especially the families.
The moms and dads who deal with some of the toughest situations a parent can face. And the kids. The kids who come in here and put in so much work to make their lives better, more independent. And they do it with smiles.
There are lots of stories that we know you – in Lancaster County and beyond – would be interested in and connect with. And we want to tell them.
That’s the purpose of this blog.
And we want to hear from you – parents of Schreiber kiddos, Schreiber alumni, volunteers – so that we hear about the stories we might not know about. Leave a comment here, contact us on Facebook, or shoot me an email.
Gone buggie
April 14, 2015Consider the case of little Elaina Sauder. Pink pants and a matching pink ribbon in her red hair. A happy, giggling little 5-year-old. Except where bugs are concerned. She’s on the autism spectrum with lots of sensory-processing issues. Her mom Joslyn says Elaina has been coming to Schreiber for occupational, physical and speech therapy for…
Happy birthday, Ben McRee
March 24, 2015Ben was born with an intellectual disability and developed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. His mom, Kathy Trippe-McRee, brought him to Schreiber for help with his speech and his fine and gross motor skills. He started learning sign language when he was 3. “The first thing he ever signed was ‘reindeer’,” Kathy said. “It…
An aspiring actor with Down syndrome
March 11, 2015*** Inside one of the Fulton’s classrooms, Alex is one of a half-dozen or so kids seated around a circle on small carpet squares. Teacher Amy Kaye Mullen runs the kids through a series of acting exercises. When it’s time to be a fish or an alligator, he jumps right in. When it’s his turn…
Kids and the science of color perception
March 2, 2015Here at Schreiber, we think quite a bit about color perception. Occupational therapists and other medical professionals have long studied the effects of different colors on our behaviors. Children who have hypersensitivity to light often become “overstimulated” in bright colored environments. Turning off the light in the room, or using sunglasses or large brimmed hats…
Generosity that warms our hearts
March 2, 2015Just in the past month, I got a call from Gary Fern, chef at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre. He had entered the Lititz Fire and Ice Festival Chili Cook-Off, and competitiors were required to raise money for a charity, so he called us. Then at the end of February, a news alert popped up…
High school students support Schreiber
February 26, 2015Just this week, we had a bunch of guys from Hempfield High School’s lacrosse team in to spend time with the child care kiddos. The little ones, of course, love to hang out with their new friends. And the big, tough lax players sit on the floor and play with blocks or stuffed animals. Mostly,…
THON starts today at Penn State
February 20, 2015Some of the kids receive treatments that can have devastating physical side effects. And Schreiber is one of the pediatric therapy centers that provides services to help these kids recover. A child who receives treatment for a brain tumor might need to relearn how to walk or talk, or they might acquire cognitive impairments or…
2015 Ambassadors: Sienna Matthews and Anthony Melendez
February 6, 2015Sienna Matthews Age: 4 School: Circle of Friends Academy Daycare Parents: Ashley Shank and Cord Matthews, Lititz Favorite foods: spaghetti and pizza Favorite activities: therapeutic riding, dancing and playing with Play-Doh SiSi has been coming to Schreiber since she was 18 months old. Her mom Ashley says SiSi was diagnosed with symptoms related to cerebellar…
Meet the 2015 Ambassadors: Alex Johanning
February 3, 2015Alexander Johanning Age: 8 Grade and school: 2nd grade, Lampeter Elementary Parents: Lisa and Tim Johanning, Lancaster What he watches: “Sophia the First,” “Beauty and the Beast” When he grows up he wants to: Be an actor. Alex was born with Down syndrome, a genetic chromasomal disorder that causes intellectual disabilities and developmental delays. He…
Meet the 2015 Ambassadors: Emily Graver
February 2, 2015Emily Nicole Graver Age: 12 Grade and school: 7th grade, Marticville Middle School Parents: Tim and Kerry Graver, Holtwood What she watches and listens to: “Duck Dynasty,” “Sponge Bob,” “The Croods” and Taylor Swift When she grows up she wants to: Be a veteranarian. Emily started coming to Schreiber after surgery in December 2012 to…