Sports medicine and physical therapy both play vital roles in injury recovery, but they serve...
Read MoreWhen Gina Cassidy took her daughter, Francesca, to her nine-month wellness visit, she brought up something concerning: Her happy, social baby wasn’t meeting some of her gross motor milestones.
“She would just sit and smile and wave,” said Gina. “She was such a happy baby, but she wasn’t crawling or trying to stand. When I looked at the milestones she was supposed to be meeting, I realized she really wasn’t doing much on the gross motor chart.”
As an occupational therapist at Inspira Sports Rehab Care Vineland, Gina understands how important it is for children to meet their early movement milestones. Gross motor skills, such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling and walking, build the foundation for a child’s balance, coordination and strength. When those skills develop on time, they support a child’s ability to explore, play and interact with their environment. Delays in these areas can sometimes signal the need for extra support or early intervention.
“As her first birthday got closer and she still wasn’t crawling or pulling herself up, I knew I wanted to have her evaluated,” said Gina.
Finding the Right Fit
Right before Francesca’s first birthday, Gina called to schedule a physical therapy (PT) evaluation. She brought Francesca to Inspira’s pediatric physical therapy program in Vineland, where she began working with Physical Therapist Phani Kaza.
“I work at Inspira, so I knew it was a great place to start,” said Gina. “I’d heard really good things about Phani … It turned out to be such a great fit. I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
Those first sessions weren’t easy. “Francesca cried a lot in the beginning,” said Gina. “She wasn’t used to moving the way Phani needed to see her move. But within a week or two of starting therapy, she started crawling. And after a few weeks, she would get excited to go see Phani. I’d bring in toys from home to help her feel comfortable, and pretty soon she was smiling and waving at everyone when we came in for PT.”
Consistency, Family and Confidence
Francesca attended therapy twice a week for about four months, and Gina’s entire family pitched in to make sure she didn’t miss a session.
“It definitely takes a village,” said Gina. “Between my mom, my aunts, my husband and me, we made sure she got to every appointment. I adjusted my work schedule some mornings. We couldn’t have done it without our family’s support.”
At home, Gina and her family practiced what Phani taught them in therapy. “We worked on weight bearing, pulling up from the couch or crib and standing while holding onto something,” Gina said. “Phani even gave my family pointers so they could help when they were babysitting. That follow-through made such a big difference.”
With each session, Francesca grew stronger and more confident. “She gained so much confidence once she realized she could crawl and walk,” said Gina. “Now she’s running, climbing and dancing. It’s hard to believe she wasn’t even crawling just months ago.”
A Proud Milestone
When Francesca went to her 18-month checkup, she officially met all her gross motor milestones and graduated from physical therapy.
“At her last session, we showed Phani a video of Francesca walking up and down the beach,” said Gina. “It’s hard to walk on sand, but she was doing it!”
Gina credits consistency, communication and the bond Francesca built with Phani for the success. “Having the same therapist for every session made a big difference,” she said. “Even when Francesca was crying at the beginning, she knew what to expect and where she was going. Doing what Phani told us to do at home and having our family’s help really helped Francesca progress.”
Looking Back
Now a toddler full of energy and independence, Francesca loves dancing, climbing and chasing her big brother around the playground.
“She’s so fast now—she just wants to keep up with her brother,” said Gina. “It’s so fun to watch her play and run after everything she couldn’t do before.”
For Gina, who works in therapy herself, the experience gave her a deeper appreciation for early intervention and trust in the process. “As an occupational therapist, I always tell people to advocate for themselves and for their kids,” she said. “People say, ‘They’ll get there eventually,’ but if you feel something isn’t right, get the extra help. Francesca might have walked eventually, but this made all the difference. I highly recommend it to anyone.”
Reflecting on their journey, Gina smiled. “We just had such a great experience,” she said. “Everyone was so friendly and Francesca loved going, even when she was little and nervous at first. We’re so grateful for everything Inspira and Phani did to help her thrive.”
