amarillo chamber of commerce - HPN Books

PROGRESSIVESTEPREHABILITATIONSERVICESWhen walking through the facilities ofProgressive Step Rehabilitation Services, itbecomes apparent that it is a happy, joyfulplace. The laughter of children is mixed withgentle encouraging voices of the staff and thesounds of various therapy activities.The mission of the therapeutic company isto provide comprehensive rehabilitation programsof the highest quality to improve thefunctional independence of those they serve.They are currently the only freestandingMedicare and Medicaid certified outpatientclinic in Amarillo to offer physical, occupational,aquatic, and speech therapy services.Physical therapy services focus on diagnosisand treatment of disorders related to movementand physical function, restoring function,or alleviating acute or chronic pain, aswell as prevention of disability. Occupationaltherapy is centered on developing or restoringindependence for patients with challengessuch as perceptual motor skill problems,attention and academic achievement difficulties,and self care deficits. Speech therapy isoffered for patients who have had injuries,strokes, neurological deficits, or developmentaldelays. The unique use of aquatic therapyis provided in the facility’s heated pool if recommendedby the patient’s treatment plan.Also named ProStep of Amarillo, the companywas established by a group of therapistsin the Amarillo area to fill a need for pediatricoutpatient therapy. Outpatient therapy isnow provided to children and adults with awide range of diagnosis and disabilities andis complemented by patient and familyeducation programs. The business, whoseparent company Extendicare is located inMilwaukee, Wisconsin, started in Amarillowith four employees in 1997. It now employsthirty-five staffers in its Panhandle officeslocated in Amarillo, Borger, and Dumas andan additional fourteen in Lubbock. A newoffice has been added in Longview, Texas.The firm participates in charitableactivities and community organizationsthat directly affect the patientsit serves such as the Buddy Walk,March of Dimes, and Autism United.Amazing transformations arecelebrated at Progressive StepRehabilitation Services. Childrenwho start therapy may have suchdebilitating disability that the parents’concerns absorb much mental,physical, and emotional energy. Theinvestment of day by day hard workresults in the development of moretypical family routines and parentchildrelationships. Melissa, a parentof one patient tells of her child,Chloe starting therapy at the age ofseventeen months old, not being ableto sit or drink. Chloe can now notonly drink, but walk, talk, and eat.Her social skills are developing andthough she was not supposed to livepast her first birthday, she is now asmiling, laughing four-year old girlwho loves life. That is a story Melissaloves to tell and a story ProStepRehabilitation Services wants to tellthe community.AMARILLO - Faces, Places & Open Spaces212