When their daughter Margo was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Jennifer and Kraig Moreland were told she would never walk. They didn't like that answer, and so the Lake Bluff couple searched for ways to treat
the neurological disorder that affects their daughter's muscle coordination. Margo was three when they tried Conductive Education, a new-to-the-U.S. holistic therapy that helps people with CP develop innovative problem solving skills that lead to self-sufficiency. "You could see the difference it made right away," said Jennifer Moreland, Margo's mom. But Conductive Education has some significant problems: It's only offered at a few centers in the U.S.; it receives no state or federal funding; and
it's not covered by most insurance policies.
Eight years ago, the Morelands were asked to send out Christmas cards to raise funds for the school their daughter was attending, the Midwest Center for Conductive Education in Glenview, which has since closed. "But that was too easy for Kraig," said Ms. Moreland of her husband, known as Coach Kraig to thousands of kids who've played sports and attended the summer camps of New Vision Athletics, which Mr. Moreland founded. "He wanted to do something to raise money on a much grander scale." Thus began the "Margo Moreland 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament & Carnival," a family event that raises between $16,000 and $23,000 annually, and which will be held Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. at the Lake Forest High School field house (click here to get to details about the tournament). The tournament/carnival aims to provide families with a fun-filled day including a basketball competition; silent auction; unlimited play of all carnival games; unlimited snacks, drinks AND snow cones; a Margo Moreland T-shirt; and a moon jump and balloonist. A donation of $25 per child and $50 per adult is suggested.
The money raised is used to fulfill grant requests for Conductive Education
therapy services; tuition and travel expenses for a Conductive
Education summer camp; and equipment for individuals and schools. Funds
also are provided for traditional therapies such as horseback riding
for CP children. And donations are made to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago's Dr. Deborah Gaebler, who works with cerebral palsy children; a Conductive Education school in Countryside, IL, called the Center for Independence; and a national organization called Inter-American Conductive Education Association.
Conductive Education blends physical therapy with a Montessori approach to teaching daily life skills such as getting dressed, brushing teeth and using the bathroom. "It trains the children to be the best possible humans they can while working on stretching and hand-eye coordination. It encompasses the whole child, from the occupational therapy needs to the physical daily routine," said Ms. Moreland.
After the Glenview school closed, the Morelands wanted to keep the tournament and fund-raising alive, so they started the non-profit Margo Moreland Charitable Foundation. They also wanted to keep Conductive Education in the area, so they helped start a five-week summer camp held at the Gorton Community Center. Meanwhile, instructor Szilvia Mark began to travel from home to home throughout the Chicago area to treat kids with CP. Ms. Mark is what's known in Conductive Education circles as a "conductor;" she has a Conductive Education degree from Peto University in Budapest, Hungary—which also is her native country.
Since Conductive Education works best in a group setting, the Morelands wanted to find their instructor a home-base. From 2007 to 2008, Equestrian Connections in Lake Forest offered barn space for a program run by Ms. Mark. But the barn was, well, a barn. So in October of 2008, the Walk With Me Conductive Education program moved to Grace United Methodist Church in Lake Bluff. Between 15 and 20 children come from all over the Chicago area to attend.
Conductive Education is not a cure, but its benefits are profound, said Ms. Moreland. "From day one they wanted Margo to walk," she said. "They do everything in their power to get your child sitting up right and walking. I could tell the difference in her whole disposition. They got her on a walker, they got her to walk. This was something we were uncertain she would ever do."
12-year-old Margo presently spends most of her time at Central Elementary School in a wheelchair because her left leg is unable to support the weight of her growing body. Her mom said this condition is called crouching, and it happens because Margo's bones are growing fast and her muscles can't keep up with them. The family is considering surgery to stretch Margo's calf muscle and they're hopeful she will walk again. They also have to keep their eye on Margo, because she's faster than anyone could expect. "There's no limit to what she can do at our house," her mom said. "She gets herself up and out in the backyard and onto the swings, and I don't even know it."
