Making Milestones

Alexis Blum of Whitehall learns to roll over, crawl and walk

When Alexis Blum of Whitehall, Pa., reached 6 months old, her mother, Amy, and grandmother, Janis Lazarchak, worried she was not reaching her first “motor milestone.” She wasn’t rolling over. A few months later, Alexis was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a brain disorder affecting body movement and muscle coordination.

Alexis, born about five weeks premature and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network, was referred to the hospital’s pediatric physical therapist. She works with Alexis, now 6 years old, in the hospital’s pediatric outpatient rehabilitation services gym.

Twice a week, the therapist helps Alexis with balance and motion. An occupational therapist at the hospital works with her on “fine motor skills” like dressing, eating and handwriting. “Therapy has helped keep her mobile, and it’s the reason she first learned to roll over, crawl and now walk with the help of a walker,” Amy Blum says. “We’re working toward more independent movement.”

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