East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Rehabilitation Center

Hello everyone,

The other day, we visited with Anne Woodle and the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Rehabilitation Center, and they provide therapy services at all levels to children - from birth to 21. They do it all: physical, occupational, & speech therapy. They provide these services to help children and give them a better chance to have independence or less of a need of depending on someone.

These kids are getting a shot at life that they wouldn’t have otherwise, and if they couldn’t get that care, some of those kids might not have a chance.

I gotta’ say Anne is a tremendous lady. She’s not doing this as a job; she’s doing it as almost a ministry. It really was uplifting to see those children. There was one little boy named Jonathan, and he was just amazing. He couldn't even sit up when he first came there, and he's come so far.


Because of Anne and East Tennessee Children's Hospital Rehab, he’s walkin' around - laughin' and screamin' like a young boy should.


And they have an open door policy, which has a tremendous impact on East Tennessee because then folks don’t have to worry about whether they have enough insurance or the right insurance or the resources to get help. They can worry about getting their children help and paying for it will come later.

And I think what United Way is doing is helping Anne and her folks bridge that gap. Ya’ know, someone who has the resources is going to get the help. Someone that doesn’t is not going to be able to get that help unless we can raise those funds and communicate the help is available.

Anne was telling us about these pockets in East Tennessee that we have of folks who aren’t able to get to these services. So how do you get these services to them? There are places where they don’t have vehicles or transportation. They don’t have any means, and there are still children with special needs in those areas, and they need the services the same as the folks from the wealthier neighborhoods.

Ya’ know, it comes down to money. Everything comes down to money. It shouldn’t, but it does. How can we pay for those services? Somebody has to pay for them. But that's what we're doing with United Way and this campaign. We're trying to make a difference, and I think Anne and her group do help make a difference every day.

I don't know about you, but I’m about ready to quit my job and go volunteer over at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Rehab Center!

Have a good one.

Blog You Soon,
Dave Bennett