Members of the California Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation (CCRF), led by Kimberly BeDell, MD, medical director of Pediatric Rehabilitation (fourth from left), stopped by Miller Children’s recently to drop off more than $30,000 in pool therapy equipment to be used for pediatric rehab therapies.

In partnership with Long Beach Memorial, the pediatric rehabilitation program at Miller Children’s offers a full-size indoor pool, set at a comfortable temperature, which is available for daily therapy. Not only is it in a fun setting for kids, but water therapy can help improve functions such as moving, reaching and breathing. It also relaxes muscles and makes movement easier, which may not be found with land-based intervention. The fear of falling down is removed and the warm water reduces body weight reducing the chances of overexertion.

Pool therapy is especially beneficial for children with traumatic and orthopedic injuries, bone, joint or muscle disorders, neurological and/or developmental disorders, sensory processing/integration disorders, connective tissue disease and rheumatol disorders. 

The California Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation is formed to help support the ever-increasing needs of young children and adolescents going through pediatric rehabilitation. “Pediatric rehabilitation is an area that touches almost every care area at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach,” says Dr. BeDell. “There is always a need for rehab equipment whether it be pool therapy equipment, walkers for physical therapy or cognitive games for kids who need speech therapy. I’m thankful that we have CCRF to help support the additional needs of our patients.”