The receipt of a generous grant from the Superior Health Foundation – which was awarded to NorthLakes Community Clinic in the fall of 2023 to support the Hurley Clinic’s Pediatric Therapies Lending Closet – is now in full effect. Support for the NorthLakes initiative has been paramount in making health resources more readily available to pediatric patients living in Gogebic County, Michigan and Iron County, Wisconsin.
The $7,500 grant covered much of the start-up cost to establish the Pediatric Therapies Lending Closet, a program that provides vital support to families with children experiencing physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. By lending necessary therapy equipment, in which the cost is not covered by insurance, the Pediatric Therapies Lending Closet addresses three significant barriers for NorthLakes patients:
- Distance: A rural location means that travel, especially in winter, can be challenging. Lending at-home therapy equipment helps reduce the need for frequent in-person visits.
- Cost: The financial burden of purchasing specialized therapy equipment can be prohibitive. The Lending Closet offers these tools to families at no cost, ensuring accessibility for all.
- Effectiveness: The ability to try various tools without a major financial investment allows families to find the best solutions for their children, adapting as their needs change.
The equipment provided through the Lending Closet supports children in developing everyday skills, such as dressing and writing, as well as essential social skills, like playing and interacting with peers.
Pediatric Occupational Therapist Elizabeth Martinsen, MSOT, OTR/L, sees families at the Hurley Clinic, with expertise in the following areas: sensory motor activities, sensory processing, sound therapy, motor planning, coordination skills, strengthening, reflex development, cognitive skills, visual motor skills, mindfulness and emotional wellness.
The construction of the Pediatric Therapies Lending Closet is complete, and the program is fully operational; NorthLakes Community Clinic has already begun stocking the closet with the most requested items. The organization also plans to expand its inventory based on the feedback and needs of the families they serve.
Thanks to the contribution from Superior Health Foundation, children in the Hurley-Ironwood community have better access to the resources they need to thrive both in therapy and at home.
For more information about the Pediatric Therapies Lending Closet or to learn more about their Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services, please contact NorthLakes Community Clinic at (715) 329-1288.
