Stories of Impact

Gemma

Described as “a little ball of stardust,” 16-month-old Gemma has been a spot of magic for her parents, Alyssa and Justin. They sometimes affectionately call her Gems – an appropriate nickname for the small but mighty little girl who is the light of their lives.

After 69 days in the NICU and two rounds of genetic testing, the family learned that Gemma has a rare chromosomal abnormality. “There is no other documented case of what Gemma has in the world, so we really don’t know what her full potential is or what her future will look like,” says Alyssa. “But we are here for it.”

Almost immediately while in the NICU, even before Gemma received a formal diagnosis, the attending neurologist recommended the Birth to Three program to them, and their journey with Curative began. Gemma started with physical therapy and now also receives occupational therapy. Her Curative therapists come to their home once a week, spending time working on things like her core strength, flexibility and body awareness to help her with her developmental milestones.

With the help of her parents and therapists, Gemma is defying odds and making strides. “Getting her to where she’s at now is just tremendous… She used to be this tight little ball that couldn’t really move or stretch. Now she’s very flexible and I think that’s because of the therapies,” Justin adds.

For Gemma and her family, Birth to Three has been more than just therapy, it has been a lifeline. Their Curative team has become a trusted resource for the family of three. They’ve helped them get special medical equipment and navigate how to better advocate for Gemma and her needs. “It’s a supportive system that has helped us learn that not only can small shifts create a big impact but that there is hope beyond a diagnosis.”

Curative's Birth to Three Program

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