Upward for Children and Families, 6306 N. 7th St., recently received a $4,822 Quality of Life grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. These funds will support Upward’s therapy, special education and adult programs with the purchase of two physical therapy positioning wedge systems.

The two physical therapy positioning wedge systems will be used to serve children ages 18 months to 22 and young adults who have paralysis. These wedge systems, which typically consist of blocks, wedge pillows, positioning pillows, body pillows and adaptive cushions, can be used in a variety of ways, dependent upon the individual user’s special needs, goals and requirements.

Benefits of the wedge systems for our children and young adults include improving respiration and reducing respiratory complications; building head, neck, trunk and shoulder strength; improving range of motion; providing lower extremity weight bearing positioning opportunities; improving engagement in classroom activities; pressure relief to reduce skin breakdown complications; and relief of stress and pain help to enhance overall comfort and health.

Sharon Graham, director of programs, stated, “Upward provides critical services for children and young adults with special needs in our community. Thanks to the Reeve Foundation Quality of Life grant, which allows us to purchase two therapy wedge systems, we will be able to enhance these services even more.”

For more information about Upward for Children and Families, visit www.upwardaz.org.