The Re-Eval By CRIT

In this episode, Natalie and Laura interview Travis Pearson, Chief Executive Officer of the Ronald McDonald House in San Antonio, Texas. We learn about its history, what they do, how they operate, and who they serve. Travis shares his career journey to becoming CEO of the Ronald McDonald House and how they help provide CRIT families with a home away from home during treatment or rehabilitation.

In this episode, we interview CRIT graduate Diego Rodriguez about life after high school and transitioning into adult life. Diego discusses navigating through the life of a college student with a disability, campus accommodations, class schedule, and goals for the future. He encourages us to chase our dreams and embrace our uniqueness rather than focus on things that hold us back.

In this episode, recreation therapy student Haley continues to share her perspective of being a student in a clinical setting. Haley interviews internship supervisors Samantha, a physical therapist, and Natalie, a recreation therapist. They discuss how supervisors provide tools for students to succeed and work towards becoming a professional in their fields. Samantha and Natalie offer advice on what students should look for in their rotations and internships.

In this episode, recreation therapy student Haley interviews two physical therapy students, Maddy and Brenda, as they finish their clinical rotations and internship work at CRIT. All three discuss their perspectives through graduate programs, expectations, and clinical experiences through their journey to graduation. They offer advice and an outlook on any student considering going into physical therapy or recreation therapy.

In this episode, Cecy discusses and gives insight into what living with a disability looks like for a teenager with dystonia. She explains her diagnosis, how her therapies have helped her, and how she stays positive and wants to impact everyone she meets. She offers tips on how to be an advocate and how to treat others with disabilities.

In this episode, Laura interviews Ally, the grandmother of CRIT patient, Krestalenn, to discuss the car accident that led her granddaughter to CRIT. She explains how Krestalenn pushes herself through therapies and achieves success with her charismatic personality. Ally brings awareness to the effects of drunk driving and how to persevere despite adversity.

In April, we celebrated Counseling Awareness month by interviewing our licensed professional counselor, Leticia Cavazos. She tells us about her journey to becoming a counselor, how she navigates the most recent COVID-19 pandemic, and how to prioritize your mental health.

In this episode, we discuss the TeletonUSA Event and how it supports CRIT's mission, values, and day-to-day operation. Laura and Natalie interviewed Cristina Prieto, TeletonUSA Foundation's Corporate Sponsorship Officer, to learn about all of the preparation, hard work, and magic that goes into putting on this nationally broadcast telethon event. She discusses how the passion of everyone involved makes TeletonUSA a success year after year, and what this year's event will look like on December 11. 

So many organizations rely on volunteers. In this episode, we discuss why our volunteers help make CRIT so special. We interview Alma González, Heroes for CRIT Ambassador, and we discuss how her contributions spread awareness for our patients and families. Alma then explains the importance of giving back to the community without expecting anything in return.

In this episode, Brooke Matula, Director of Recreational Therapy at Morgan's Wonderland, joins us. She dives into the mission of one of the most inclusive theme parks, Morgan's Wonderland. She also discusses what Universal Design is and how we can inspire the San Antonio community to be inclusive.

In September, we celebrated Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month. Natalie and Laura interviewed Zivanna and Moises, patients from CRIT, who shared their journey with this condition. They talked about their future goals, and how they want to change how people on a wheelchair are viewed.

As we continue to bring awareness to SMA and celebrate Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month, we interview Rebecca, one of our genetic counselors. Rebecca explains how genetic counselors help people and their families know how genes in family members carry diagnoses. She also describes how she helps families make the most informed decisions when navigating through their diagnoses. She also advocates how working ahead and knowing your gene history can help you and your family in the future.

In August, we celebrate Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month. We interview the mother of Gabriel, Jenna, who shares their journey through Gabriel's diagnosis of SMA. She takes us through finding a specialist to diagnose her son, clinical trials, and finding the treatment options for Gabriel and their family. She also mentions how education and advocating through community groups and other families with children with SMA help spread awareness.

In June, we celebrated Father's day by interviewing super dad Rufus. He will guide us through what he and his wife went through when adopting Adira, making communication and openness a key component in their family relationship. He gives us insight on navigating life with a new daughter who also happens to have a disability. Lastly, he introduces us to his project, a podcast titled “The Imperfect Gift,” where he highlights the ups and downs of parenthood.

Today on the show, Natalie and Laura will discuss Hippotherapy, its benefits, and which diagnoses have benefitted from it. Laura will then chat with someone who has had first hand-experience with Hippotherapy, 12-year-old Hayden, on his perspective of his progress since starting back in 2017.

In May, we celebrated Better Speech and Hearing Month by interviewing one of our very own Speech-Language Pathologists, Lorena Aceves. Natalie will chat with her about what a Speech Therapist does, how her path led to Speech Therapy, and the schooling needed. She will also review what “The Big Nine” is and how she helps patients utilize different communication tools, including communication boards, and AAC devices, everything from low-technology to high-technology.

We chat with a unique family from our clinic on this episode to bring awareness to Prader Willi Syndrome. We are joined by Gabriella and her son Pedrito, discussing what they have done to help Pedro make smart choices independently and the challenges that came with doing that. This followed by our Registered Dietician, Eva Nestor, explaining her role in educating families on how to create and follow a dietary plan and empower themselves when they are making these decisions on their own.

In the month of April, we celebrated Occupational Therapists by introducing you to two of our very own. Rudy Cardenas and Natalie chat about what Occupational Therapy is, and the benefits of adaptive switch toys. Followed by Lucia, introducing us to her adventurous teenage daughter, also named Lucia, discussing the impact that an adaptive switch toy has made on her daily life with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy. While Rebecca Barry, better known as Becky, reviews the selection process of appropriate toys needed for this adaptive switch, factoring in patient's likes, as well as how it has impacted patient progress.

Interviews include Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Natalie Klinsky discussing her role as a Recreational Therapist, and who may benefit from these services; 6-year-old Brooke and her mother, Natasha talking about how Recreational Therapy has helped them as a family.  After this, Berenice Escobedo, one of our Social Workers will explain how she provides community resources to our families to help navigate through their unique challenges that may arise as our patients transition into adulthood. Followed by Denny, one of our very own CRIT graduates, discussing the new stage in his life how he stays busy with community involvement.

In October, we honored Rett's Syndrome awareness by interviewing Olivia and Cruz, parents of Graciela. They share their experience with their child and what resources they have used to guide them through their journey as a family with special needs. Also, how you can get involved as a parent to make a difference in the disability community in the long run. Followed by Kimberley, Damian's mom, discussing their journey at CRIT and navigating life with a 10-year-old with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy and how the community still has room to grow.  

Interviews include Doctor of Physical Therapy and tenured therapist Jose Ponce, about how COVID-19 changed therapy; Juan and Desiree, parents of Ryian, discussing pros and cons of Telemedicine with a toddler with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. Sammi and her mom Priscilla discussing the benefits of Telemedicine for their family while navigating Sammi's diagnosis of Osteogenesis Imperfecta. 

Children's Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT) therapists bring you into the clinic, introducing you to what makes CRIT what it is.