By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
Tamika and Dwayne Burns’ twins, Elissa and Carissa, were born five weeks early and have some developmental delays.
The girls receive occupational and speech therapy, but now that they’ve turned 3, they won’t be able to continue therapy in the summer. And when the girls begin school in the fall, there will be less focus on developmental learning and more on academic learning.
The couple heard about Footprints in the Community, a relatively new nonprofit designed to help families of children with disabilities access community programs and resources. The nonprofit was founded by Dr. Ashley Deaton, an occupational therapist, and Dr. Kathy Bailey, a physical therapist.
“We are both very passionate about making sure that families with children with disabilities are able to access resources in the community,” Deaton said.
The nonprofit, launched last year, is hosting a golf tournament this weekend to raise money for a summer therapy camp that would allow children who have had therapy to continue learning during summer break.
That’s welcome news to the Burns family and others in their situation.
“They’ve come a long way and I don’t want them to go back,” Tamika said.
The mother of five works at home with the girls, but she relies on therapists to help them advance.
The fundraiser will be held Sunday at the Warrior Golf Club, 890 Lake Wright Road, China Grove.
The tournament has a 2 p.m. shotgun start. Registration is $50 per person and $200 per team. Registration includes greens and cart fees and lunch, which will be provided from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Hole sponsorships for $200 are available, providing advertising opportunities for organizations or businesses during the tournament. You can register for the tournament through Saturday.
All proceeds will go toward the cost of the summer therapy camp.
The camp for children ages 3-8 will take place in July on Tuesdays and Thursdays at North Hills Christian School on West Innes Street. Each child will receive a customized book to keep. It will include the weekly theme. Campers will participate in sensory activities related to the theme and then go on a field trip to experience firsthand what they’ve learned. The participants will have peer buddies who will work with them throughout the camp and field trips.
“We hope the summer therapy will help them not lose the progress they’ve made and continue to make progress,” Deaton said.
Tamika Burns, who is a pediatric nurse, said many people don’t know about such programs or can’t afford them. “It’s a good thing,” she said of the camp.
Visit www.footprintsinthecommunity.com for more information about Footprints in the Community. To register for the tournament or sign up for a sponsorship, contact Dr. Ashley Deaton at 704-798-4879.