Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Rehab Patients Debut Personal Milestones During 'Rehab Summer Games' at Philips Arena
More than 350 children will compete in special events incorporating rehabilitative therapy
WHO: Children's Healthcare of Atlanta rehab patients, families and therapists, Atlanta
Thrashers athletes, Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders and Atlanta Hawks and Thrashers
mascots
WHAT: Philips Arena will host more than 350 children competing in basketball, tricycle races,
wheelbarrow races, dance contests, an obstacle course and more. There are no
referees. No one is chosen last. No one rides the bench.
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to noon, Monday, July 28
WHERE: Philips Arena (see parking information and directions at end)
WHY: The Games are a unique, motivational way to incorporate therapy goals into a patient’s
summer activities. The patients train hard during physical, occupational and speech
therapy sessions, and the Games give them a chance to show off skills that highlight
strength, stamina and, most of all, courage.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
Kyundra Wright, 13
In March 2008, 13-year-old Kyundra Wright suffered a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in an automobile accident. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors told her mother that if she survived, she would remain in a vegetative state. Kyundra could not walk, talk, nod or even indicate pain or comprehension. After a few weeks, Kyundra was transferred to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite.
Kyundra was a patient in the Children’s Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (CIRU) for two intense months, where she worked with physical therapists, occupational therapists and a speech language pathologist. At the end of April, she said her first words since the accident, and in May Kyundra was transferred to Children’s Day Rehabilitation program. Today, Kyundra’s speech is gaining fluency and her mobility is increasing. Kyundra and her family will be at the Rehab Summer Games and available for interview.
*Many other patients, families and therapists will be available for interviews and great photo opportunities throughout the Games.
PARKING: Free parking is located in the “Media Lot” across from the fenced in Philips Arena
loading dock.
MEDIA CHECK-IN: Enter the arena through the loading dock area. The first table as you enter is our
“Media” table. Please stop here, and a member of our media relations team will
assist you from there.
DIRECTIONS: From Marietta Street, turn onto Park Avenue West (Embassy Suites on right corner)
and drive straight over railroad tracks. The road will lead you to the left, follow it over
the speed bumps, and at the end of the building on the right you will see the Philips
Arena loading dock. The "Media Lot" is on the left directly across from the loading
dock.