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Did you know October is National Physical Therapy Month? Physical Therapy is one of three outpatient therapies offered at Wendell Foster. With Physical Therapy, individuals can improve strength, endurance, coordination, gross motor function, and range of motion. Our team of experienced therapists treat people with disabilities throughout their lifespans.
Wendell Foster is proud to recognize PT Month as a way to educate others on the benefits of PT for those we serve. We are so thankful for our team of PT Difference Makers who help our clients achieve more movement for better health!
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Keep reading to meet our PT clients and learn their success stories! ⬇️
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Meet Sterling!
Did you know that Wendell Foster Physical Therapists participate in wheelchair fittings provided by National Seating & Mobility (NSM)? Sterling, age 17, is a client who benefitted from this service. The power assist on Sterling's previous wheelchair had stopped working, making it difficult for her to maneuver her chair. Sterling's Physical Therapist, Erin, worked with NSM to find the best chair for her. Erin was present for the evaluation and provided information to NSM on Sterling's needs and daily life habits.
Sterling's new wheelchair is a Ki Mobility Rogue model, and it's the perfect fit for her. This new chair has power assist, and Sterling said it's much easier for her to get from place to place in this chair. Plus, it's pink! Thanks to her new wheelchair, Sterling has more independence and autonomy in her life.
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Meet Walker!
Walker, age six months, started physical therapy with Wendell Foster at two months to correct a condition known as torticollis. Torticollis is a condition where the neck muscles contract, causing the head to twist to one side at an abnormal angle. The earlier that physical therapy starts for infants with this condition, the more likely the condition can be corrected.
At the start of his therapy journey, Walker came to PT once a week. Because his neck stiffening has improved, he now only comes to PT every other week! While he still works on exercises to improve the torticollis, the main goal is to ensure that Walker continues to stay on track with his developmental milestones. In his PT sessions, he is tilted from side to side to strengthen both sides of his neck and to encourage symmetrical movement. These exercises will eventually help Walker be strong on both sides of his body when he begins to crawl and walk. We know Walker will continue to make strides in his therapy journey!
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Oh the Places You'll Go! 🗺️📍 | |
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Here at Wendell Foster, we love to celebrate the unique passions of our residents, and one standout is John, a geography enthusiast with a special love for maps. Recently, John began an exciting project: collecting postcards from various destinations around the world. Each postcard he receives adds a new pin to his map and finds a home in his dedicated postcard collection book, creating a colorful representation of the places he dreams of exploring.
When we asked John what inspired him to start this project, he shared that he used to travel a lot when he was younger. Now, receiving a postcard from a new place brings him immense happiness, reminding him of cherished memories, especially those from his father's time in the military. When we asked John what destinations he hopes to collect postcards from, his answer was simple: "Anywhere!"
We invite our community to help make John's dream a reality! If you’re traveling or know someone who is, please consider sending a postcard John’s way. Your thoughtful gesture will not only brighten his day but also contribute to his growing map of memories.
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Pictured: John's map on display in his room. He uses thumbtacks to mark the destinations where he received postcards. John wants to fill the entire map! | |
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💌 Postcards can be mailed to:
Wendell Foster
Attn: John Susong
815 Triplett St.
Owensboro, KY 42303
Let’s come together to support John’s passion for geography and fill his map and collection book with stories from around the globe! 🌎
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At Wendell Foster, we've been embracing the return of crisp autumn air and all the joys that come with it! Recently, our Person-Centered Specialists hosted an exciting Fall Festival for ICF residents in our Sensory Park. The celebration was packed with seasonal fun—residents enjoyed creative face painting, a spooky spider ring toss, candy corn bowling, apple nachos, and more! After an afternoon of fun and laughter, everyone gathered together for a cozy chili supper and movie night. What a perfect way to welcome the fall season! 🍂 | |
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One of the best parts of the fall season is the return of all things pumpkin! Our friends Cheryl and Rachel from the Daviess County Extension Office are visiting this fall to teach a series of classes called “Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice”. We’re learning all about how pumpkins grow and what we can use them for. During one class, Andreana, Paula, and Mark made their very own pumpkin pie in a bag—yum! 🥧 | |
Our fall festivities didn’t end there! Wendell Foster’s Employee Recognition Committee hosted an exciting Staff Fall Festival, ensuring everyone could join in the seasonal fun. Staff enjoyed grilled cheese and chili, played rounds of bingo, sipped on spooky-themed drinks from the Halloween drink station, and showed off their creativity in a lively costume contest. 🧛 Some of the winning costumes were Doodlebob, Wayne's World, and the cast of Dodgeball! | |
Way Back When at Wendell Foster! 📷 | |
Way Back When at Wendell Foster is a new series that will appear in each month's newsletter. This series will feature fun photos from the past that highlight our rich history of empowering people with disabilities for over 75 years! We hope you enjoy these snapshots and learn something new about Wendell Foster! | |
We've celebrated Spooky Season at Wendell Foster ever since our humble beginnings in the late 1940s! In this photo, the original residents of Wendell Foster (then referred to as a Home and School) commemorated Halloween with a costume party. In this picture, you'll see Louise Foster (front left), the daughter of our founders, Wendell and Edith Foster. | |
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2025 WFHM & 5K
Meet Our Steps Division Ambassadors! 💙
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We are thrilled to introduce you to our Steps Division Ambassadors for the 2025 Wendell Foster Half Marathon & 5K! The Steps Division was the newest addition to the 2024 WFHM & 5K, and gives individuals with disabilities the opportunity to participate in the half marathon or 5K divisions by taking steps throughout the year. On race day, our Steps Division participants will take their final steps across the finish line, and will be medaled alongside our runners.
We absolutely loved watching the Steps Division participants achieve their goals last year, and we are excited to have 10 Steps Division Ambassadors who will take us on their journey to completing their steps!
Meet our 2025 Steps Division Ambassadors! 🏅
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Be sure to follow along on the WFHM & 5K Facebook page for updates on our Ambassadors as they take the steps to reach their goals! 🌟 | |
It's the Season to be Spooky! 👻 | |
Witches cackle and ghosts say "boo!" Wendell Foster wishes a Happy Halloween to you! 🖤 | |
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1. Corey is our horror movie expert, and all spooky season he has been scaring staff and visitors with this Michael Myers replica in his room!
2. Caressa and Andrew enjoyed visiting the Sunflower Experience at Trunnell's Farm Market.
3. Wildcat super fans John and Blake were in for a treat when they had up-close and personal seats to the UK Basketball Blue-White Preseason Event.
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4. Lucas experienced his first-ever Tennessee Titans football game with his family and Recreation Staff!
5. Megan wished the staff in Cottage C a Happy Halloween with this adorable card!
6. Wendell Foster's Aktion Club volunteered at Empty Bowls of Owensboro on October 17th. They used their fundraising money to purchase 6 gallons of chili for attendees to eat, and they helped with delivering the chili and setting up the event.
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Save the Date! 📅
Close-Ups with the Clauses 🎅🤶
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About Wendell Foster
For over 75 years, our focus has been to provide children and adults with disabilities with the tools, education, therapies, and support to reach their dreams and potential.
As a leader in serving those with disabilities, we provide more than 65,000 services annually through multiple programs.
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Copyright © 2024 Wendell Foster, All rights reserved. | | | | |
