The NAPA Center - Chicago

The NAPA Center is one of the most highly regarded therapy centers in the US for children with Cerebral Palsy. They have been opening up new locations recently and now have 5 US options to choose from. When registration opened up in September 2022, we applied for a 3-week summer session. With hundreds of other families vying to get in, we weren't sure if our availability would line up with an open slot. 

Last year we went to the Denver location and had a fabulous experience. We were open to going back to Denver, but a new location opened up in Chicago recently. And luck would have it that we got in!

On August 20th, we loaded up the van and caravanned with my parents to Grayslake, IL. Shane and Owen stayed home for work and school. We spent just over 2 weeks at an Airbnb in Grayslake that had its own home theater AND indoor pool! Aria's therapy was in Niles, about 45 minutes away. But the amenities at the Grayslake house made it worth the drive. 

The kids had fun playing outside, splashing away in the pool, and spending time with Nana Bev and Popi Jerry.

When the weekend arrived, we had a couple free days to explore the area.  We decided our first adventure would be to the Kohl Children's Museum. Nana Bev and I took the girls to the museum, while Cole and Popi Jerry stayed back at the house. Cole was very excited to have a quiet afternoon swimming and playing with just Popi.

Rose, Kate and Aria all had a wonderful time at the museum. It was quite accessible for Aria and had plenty for the three of them to do. Rose's favorite part was the craft area. She could literally have stayed and worked on crafts the entire time.

Kate loved the pretend cafe and nursery.

Aria especially loved driving the pretend car and playing in the water exhibit. We waited to play with the water last for a good reason. Aria was sopping wet and in need of a change of clothes when we finished. She sure loves to splash and simply can not contain herself when water is within reach.

The next day, the whole crew headed to Wagner Farm to spend some time outside. There were chickens, cows, horses, tractors, exhibits and even a playground. We had a great time exploring. 

After 1 1/2 weeks, my parents headed home, and Shane flew down to help out.  While the weekdays were busy with therapy, we snuck in some fun outings on the weekend. We spent a day at the Brookfield Zoo looking at all the different animal exhibits. 

A few highlights include feeding a giraffe, brushing the goats, cooling down in the mist makers, and riding the carousel.

The next day we ventured over to Waukegan Beach to enjoy Lake Michigan on a gorgeous day. It was just like a day on the gulf without having to drive all the way to Florida. The kids had a blast frolicking in the water and playing in the sand. They even had an accessible walkway all the way to the water which made transporting Aria in her stroller so much easier. 

We decided to take a stroll out to the little lighthouse while we dried off. It appeared to be accessible, until it wasn't. Pushing a 34 pound child in a stroller through the sand is a nearly impossible task. But we eventually made it to the concrete walkway. 

The lighthouse was out on a jetty wall and there was no way I was making that journey with a stroller. So Aria, Cole and I stayed back while Shane took Rose and Kate for a closer look.

On September 4th, Shane took the big kids home so they wouldn't miss their first week of school. Aria and I moved into another rental house much closer to therapy while we wrapped up our last week at NAPA. 

Aria worked hard during her 3 week intensive. She had 1 hour of Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) and 1 hour of speech/feeding therapy every morning. Then a 90 minute break for lunch and a nap, and we'd be back in the afternoon for 2 hours of PT while wearing a neurosuit (a special vest and shorts outfit with bungie cords to help with posture.)

It was a long 3 weeks, but we made it! Aria came out stronger than ever. She even started using her eye gaze communication device (something she never tolerated before!) One therapist felt that Aria will be standing independently in the near future. How awesome would that be! I had to fight to hold back my tears of hope. It's so wonderful to have someone see all of Aria's amazing potential.

On September 8th, Aria and I said a fond farewell to our team of therapists and ventured off on our long journey home. We could not wait to get back to our house and the rest of our crew.