Courage Burnsville’s Open House was a day of fun and celebration. On Feb. 12, over 225 visitors toured and experienced the new and dramatically different rehabilitation facility for children and teens. Activities included a self tour, use of different rooms and equipment, three therapy gyms, speakers, a raffle with prizes, and a special visit from the Minnesota Zoomobile.
“The open house gave people the opportunity to experience firsthand the new location and beautiful design,” said Nancy Larkin, Courage Center interim CEO and vice president of Healthcare and Rehabilitation. “Courage Burnsville’s new home was created and built with parent and therapist ideas and feedback. It is fun to see it come all together. With the colorful space and current technology, we now have room to grow.”
“Courage Burnsville is the single greatest reason for what my son can do today,” said Paul Mettlach, the father of Luke Mettlach, a client of Courage Burnsville for over three years. “Luke was a preemie baby. At two months, he wasn’t as active as his older brother had been, and there were beginning signs of cerebral palsy.
“When Luke started going to Courage Burnsville, his therapist placed a bracelet with bells on his right arm but he couldn’t make it jingle. Now Luke is 4 years old and he can walk, run and ride a tricycle. The therapists here find out what each child needs and what motivates them, whether it’s food, music, computers or a tricycle. I’m very grateful for this type of support. The positive challenges have taken my son really far.”
Services offered by Courage Burnsville include pediatric occupational, physical and speech therapy; cutting-edge assistive technology; fitness and nutrition classes; aquatic physical therapy at the Burnsville YMCA’s warm-water pool; and home based therapy.
The operation began 13 years ago with a handful of clients and now sees more than 300 children a year who make over 12,000 therapy visits. Stop by or call 952-898-5700 to see how this new, innovative facility can help children and teens become stronger, healthier and more independent. More information can also be found at www.courage.org.
