Nonprofit Group- to Help- Families

"Bright Step Forward"

Funds Needed Therapy

Eileen de Oliveira never thought she would be the owner and adminis­ trator of a physical therapy facility for children. But then she never imagined she would have a son with cerebral palsy. Taking on life's challenges has brought de Oliveira to a point where she has also found a way to help others.

To begin at the beginning, her new mission in life started when de Oliveira was expecting triplets. Born prematurely, one child did not survive and another, Lucas, developed cerebral palsy. "At 18 months Lucas could not do what other children his age could do," she recalled, and "regular" physical therapy did not seem to be making much of a difference in her son's progress. "I decided I had to do something," she said.

That something was to enroll Lucas in an alternative physical therapy program which provided intensive therapy three times a week, four hours at a time, using special equipment developed in Poland. "Within three weeks Lucas was walking independently," de Oliveira said. She decided her son would benefit from another round of intensive therapy but when she called to make an appointment she found the facility had closed its doors.

There seemed to be only one thing for de Oliveira to do. She bought the therapy equipment, planning to use it for Lucas' therapy at home, but after some consideration, she suggested to her husband they open their own clinic. "Therapies 4 Kids", in Lauderdale by the Sea, was in busi­ ness in February of 2005.

Bright Steps Forward Launched

Knowing the expenses involved, de Oliveira understood there would be many families who could not afford to pay for their children to get the intensive physical therapy they needed. To address the situation, she founded the 501 c nonprofit, "Bright Steps Forward". The organization provides financial support for intensive pediatric therapy to disadvan­ taged children with neurological disorders. The Bright Steps Forward program has already started raising funds and, to direct th€)effort, de Oliveira tracked down a high school friend, Annette Cavaliere who agreed to take on the responsibilities as President and Executive Director of Bright Steps Forward. Recently a Rock n Roll Sock Hop fund raiser was held featuring entertainer Chris MacDonald, a very popular "Elvis" impersonator. More events are planned as the newly formed Bright Steps Forward reaches out into the community. There was a recent yard sale and watch for an upcoming golf tournament.

"I believe in the therapy and I want to spread the word to other parents and make this a national program," de Oliveira told the Voice.

Ed. Note: To learn more about Bright Steps Forward visit the web site at http://www.brightstepsforward.org./ To learn more about Therapies 4 Kids and the special equipment and approach that is used, visit http://www.therapies4kids.com./ The program is located at 4001 N. Ocean Drive, Suite 305, Lauderdale by the Sea, FL 33308. Yow can also call 954-491 ,6611 .