Conceptual Evolution

Five years ago, the lives of four professional women (a pediatric physical therapist, a pediatric occupational therapist, a special education teacher, and a business professional and mother to Pattison) intersected because of a little girl name Pattison.  Pattison is a little girl who was born with significant brain damage as well as auditory and visual impairments. This brain damage led to a diagnosis of spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and multiple handicaps.

Pattison has significant developmental and functional delays and constant management of her cerebral palsy and health are imperative. However, with proper management, Pattison's life can be more independent, comfortable, functional, and happy. Pattison's parents Pam and Mark Sloat are realistic concerning her future but want to maximize her strengths to enrich her life skills, cognition, and function. They also hope to prevent secondary problems resulting from the cerebral palsy such as orthopedic deformities.

After attempting to examine the education options in the area and finding the public school system didn't even allow parents to observe a classroom prior to having an IEP in place, Pattison's parents were not satisfied with the educational philosophies and limited therapies offered once they were allowed access.

These 4 women met because of a little girl named Pattison, but were inspired by the many children like her who need love, encouragement, and resources to do the things that most of us take for granted.  And so they founded an organization that has grown to serve over 100 children today!!

 
Cindy Dodds, Kimberly Wilson, Pam Sloat, and Debbie Lamb - Taken in 2006 during our very first Summer Camp.

Cindy Dodds, Director of Rehabilitation Services
Cindy Dodds has over 25 years experience as a pediatric physical therapist.  She graduated from the College of Virginia in 1985 and a received her Masters in Health Science from the Medical University of South Carolina 2000.  She has experience in pediatric neurodevelopmental treatment and hippotherapy. Cindy is a member of the Neurodevelopmental Treatment Association, is a registered hippotherapist, and is a member of thexperience as a physical therapist.  She obtained a BS in Physical Therapy from the Medical e American Hippotherapy Association.  She is adjunct faculty at the Medical University of South Carolina and in 2011 she received her PhDin Pediatric Science from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions . She most enjoys working with children impaired with multiple and severe disabilities. 
 
Debbie Lamb
Debbie Lamb has over 15 years of occupational therapy experience.  She attended Clemson University prior to obtaining her BS in Occupational Therapy at the Medical University of South Carolina in 1989.  She is certified in neurodevelopmental treatment and sensory integration praxic testing.  Formerly she served as president of the Low Country South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association.  She is currently a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and the South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association. 
 
Kimberly Wilson-Kascak
Kimberly Wilson has nearly 10 years of experience working with children with disabilities and specializes in teaching students with mental retardation and profound mental disabilities.  She has a B.S. in Special Education from the College of Charleston.  She organized a support group for parents of children with disabilities and served in the Peace Corps for two years in Morocco.  While with the Corps, she taught orientation and mobility to children who were visually impaired.  She taught children with profound mental disabilities in Charleston County School District and was the volunteer coordinator for Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding.
 
Pamela Sloat
Pam has 10 years of experience with nonprofit organizations and over 5 years of project management and research experience as a software designer for non-profits.  She previously served for three years as the Executive Director of Pattison's Academy, and then as the Director of Operations and Programs for three years. She has served on the Charles Webb/Ed Croft Committee of the Coastal Community Foundation and has served on the board for Carolina Children's Charity.  Pam is married to Mark Sloat and after 14 years of marriage, they have 3 beautiful girls - Amelia, Pattison, and Mariana. Today Pam works part-time as the admin assistant for Pattison's Academy.  She handles the IT needs of the organization, assists with budgeting, updating the website, and whatever else is needed or asked.