Jada Romans
This holiday season, the ATI Foundation in partnership with the clinics of ATI Physical Therapy, is focusing on enhancing the lives of local children with physical impairments through its annual Holiday Kids Campaign.
The Foundation has designated eight beneficiaries in need of specific assistance, and is asking patients, communities, friends and colleagues of ATI to support the campaign with financial contributions.
“As we wrap up 2014, we are excited to host our second annual Holiday Kids Campaign,” said Terry Williams, director of the ATI Foundation. “This year, we’ve expanded our fundraising efforts to include two additional children. Our campaign will raise money to support a specific need for each beneficiary, and we thank everyone who opens their hearts so these children have an opportunity to improve their quality of life.”
All ATI clinic locations will host fundraising events; funds raised will be designated to the beneficiary in the region of the participating clinics. The children honored in this year’s campaign reside in Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee/Georgia and Wisconsin. Donations can be made at any ATI Physical Therapy location, or by visiting www.ATIFoundation.com and clicking the “Donate Now” button.
This year’s Georgia beneficiary is Jada Romans, 7, from Rossville. Jada is the youngest of three siblings, and is considered a walking miracle. Born with arthrogryposis, a congenital condition with joint contractures (curvature) in two or more areas of the body, she was never expected to walk. On Halloween of 2010, at the age of 4, Jada walked for the first time.
This condition, which occurs in utero, has caused Jada’s elbows, wrists, knees and ankles to be completely locked. She has no muscle tone or range of motion. Jada has had 13 surgeries to date; between her life-long physical therapy treatments, hospital stays, and other medical expenses, the family has unpaid medical bills in excess of $100,000.
The Romans family is in need of a car seat that Jada can use as she grows older, so she can sit safely and comfortably in the family vehicle. The cost of the car seat is $800.
The ATI Foundation will be purchasing Jada’s car seat and providing assistance towards their financial situation.
For complete biographies of the 2014 beneficiaries, please visit www.ATIFoundation.com and click the “Beneficiaries” link. For an ATI Physical Therapy location near you, visit www.ATIpt.com.