Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Wade.
Janet, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I graduated from Boston University with majors in political science and journalism. But shortly after graduating I fell in love with the field of physical therapy while teaching English in an orphanage in Taiwan. The orphanage was originally started for children with polio who had been abandoned by their families. By the time I arrived, there were children with a variety of disabilities and one of my roles was to accompany children to their rehabilitation appointments at the local hospital. Upon my return to the States, I set out to become a PT, eventually landing at Temple University’s Master’s program.
I’ve now been a PT, working exclusively with children for 21 years. About 10 years ago, while working in the Wellesley Public Schools, I decided to put a dream into motion. I had long envisioned a place where children could come for physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy under one roof. Although many hospitals offer all three therapies, I wanted to create a place where kids could work hard towards their goals but also have fun and make friends. I also hoped it would be a supportive place for the siblings and parents of children with special needs, who work so hard to make sure their kids get the services they need.
The Boston Ability Center opened in Wellesley Hills in 2009. Since then I have had the privilege of working with countless amazing children, their families and many gifted clinicians. Later this fall we will open in a second location in Natick, making it an easier location for our families who travel from the more western suburbs.
Has it been a smooth road?
From a business perspective, my learning curve remains steep. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside my father who has a background in business and has been my most trusted advisor from day one. One challenge has been deciding whether or not to expand the Boston Ability Center into a second location and how to foster growth without losing the intimacy of a small private practice. Another more continuous struggle has been navigating the world of insurance. It’s a complicated system of reimbursement and requires our constant attention!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Boston Ability Center – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
The Boston Ability Center provides one to one physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech/language therapy for children ages 0-18 years. We work with children who present with a wide range of diagnoses such as orthopedic, neurological and neuromuscular conditions. Examples include cerebral palsy, autism, down syndrome, gross and fine motor delay, sensory processing disorder, and orthopedic diagnoses, our staff is comprised of the Boston area’s most dedicated and gifted therapists and any time I am treating alongside them in our gym, I feel enormously proud. They are truly remarkable.
In addition to one to one therapies, the BAC uses a combination of gross motor play and the Social Thinking* curriculum to foster friendships in our weekly language motor groups.
The BAC seeks to care for whole families by offering Open Gym for the entire family on Saturdays, SibShops, and a partnership with One Night Out (onenightout.org) to provide childcare for children with special needs and their siblings, one Saturday night/month.
Over the last 2 years, the BAC has developed relationships with schools in our area allowing us to provide direct therapy services to children in 5 schools/childcare programs. This has been a valuable service for parents who work full time and are unable to get their children to the BAC for appointments.
There are plenty of excellent pediatric rehab programs in our area. It is always our aim to set ourselves apart by the comprehensive way that we care for children and their families. I’m amazed by our therapists’ ability care deeply for every child and family who walks through the door. and believe that these trusting relationships are the foundation for the progress we see our patients making.
In order to further care for our patients and their families, we are partnering with Jillian Bennett, one of the best neuropsychologists in the area, to provide on-site neuropsych testing.
We will continue to explore every opportunity to support children and families whose lives are impacted by disability.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
My favorite thing about Boston and its suburbs are the beautiful parks. When my own children were little, I loved taking them to the Arboretum in Jamaica Plain, to the Boston Common, and to all of Brookline’s playgrounds. Now that I spend more time in the Newton, Wellesley and Natick areas I like to explore any nature trail that will welcome our dog Stanley!
Although I have gotten pretty familiar with driving in the greater Boston area, I still find navigating the streets challenging. Thank goodness for Waze!
Contact Info:
- Website: bostonabilitycenter.com
- Phone: 781-239-0100
- Email: frontdesk@bostonabilitycenter.com
- Facebook: http://www.bostonabilitycenter.com/index.html
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