6 VITALITY Winter 2025 Parenting is full of questions, milestones and moments that matter. From your newborn’s first days to the challenges of the teen years, every stage of childhood brings new joys and new questions. The CMH Pediatric Clinic’s “Ages and Stages” page offers expert Dustie Prock’s face lights up when she sees Whitney Johnson, her physical therapist at the CMH Pediatric Rehabilitation Clinic. After getting out of her wheelchair and walking a distance using her gait trainer, Dustie is all smiles as Johnson gives her a high-five. “She loves Whitney,” says her mom, Lynzi Prock. “We love coming here.” Dustie was born with spina bifida and also has clubfoot. Spina bifida is a congenital disability that happens when the spine and spinal cord do not form correctly during early pregnancy. Clubfoot is a condition where the foot is turned inward or downward, which makes walking difficult. With two physical therapy sessions each week and additional help at school, Dustie is working on being more independent. While a wheelchair is her primary form of mobility now, she wants to be able to walk with a gait trainer, which is similar to a walker. Lynzi says Dustie, an eighth-grader at Pleasant Hope Middle School, is a “happygo-lucky kid” and is making great progress through therapy at CMH. PEDIATRIC CARE Taking steps toward independence From newborns to teens: Expert advice for How pediatric therapy helps our younger patients Find care for your child To make an appointment with a pediatrician, call the CMH Pediatric Clinic at 417-777-2121. guidance, practical tips and trusted resources to help you navigate your child’s growth and development. You can find checklists for checkups and get advice on safety, nutrition, sleep and more—tailored to your child’s age. Whether you’re a first-time parent or have been through Dustie Prock is happy to see Whitney Johnson, her physical therapist, at the CMH Pediatric Rehabilitation Clinic.
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