Transforming Two Brothers: Zach & Bradley are Thriving
September 22, 2023
“Our sons are living into their potential with as much independence as possible because of The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh,” explains Kim Bischoff. “With great care, creativity, and honesty over many years, their therapists have pushed Zach and Bradley to learn and grow.”
Zach and Bradley are surviving triplets, micro-preemies born at 24 weeks who spent 101 days in neo-natal intensive care. Brother Ben passed at one day old. Now 19, they were referred at age three from early intervention to The Children’s Institute for physical, occupational, and speech therapies.
“Communication has always been a priority,” says Kim. “Zach quickly started talking and met his speech therapy goals. Bradley is non-verbal and continues to make strides in communicating his needs and wants through his iPad.”
Bradley attends The Day School at The Children’s Institute. His therapists have taught him how to navigate technology and use his augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device to interact with others. He is very social, loves to play jokes on his teachers, and works in The Day School Store. He helps with a variety of tasks at school, from mail delivery and paper shredding to collecting library books.
Integrated therapy services at The Day School have enhanced Bradley’s mobility, including transitions in and out of his wheelchair. He enjoys GymBop®, a music and adapted physical education program combined with therapy services, and likes to spend time upright in the standing wheelchair. Outpatient physical therapy has also provided significant mobility support to Zach, who walks unassisted with foot orthotics. He has learned how to strengthen his core and lower body muscles, which he now maintains through a home exercise program.
Zach, who loves computers and the field of information technology, will receive his diploma from Baldwin High School. He was selected as a fall 2023 UPMC Project SEARCH trainee. This year-long high school transition program prepares students with disabilities for competitive employment through departmental rotations at UPMC Mercy.
“I’m excited to see what the future holds for our sons,” Kim concludes. “Zach will one day live on his own, have a rewarding career, and be a lifelong advocate for his brother. Bradley will have a life with meaning – now with his father, Doug, and me, and then someday in assisted living or a group home, because he is learning to communicate with others.
“Our family’s journey with The Children’s Institute has been amazing,” she continues. “Long-time team members have been helping our boys for almost 17 years, and we have met other parents and children in waiting rooms that we remain connected with to this day. We are like one big family.”
The Children’s Institute provides integrated physical and educational support services that help each child live to their potential. Read more about our Special Education Services.
Zach and Bradley are surviving triplets, micro-preemies born at 24 weeks who spent 101 days in neo-natal intensive care. Brother Ben passed at one day old. Now 19, they were referred at age three from early intervention to The Children’s Institute for physical, occupational, and speech therapies.
“Communication has always been a priority,” says Kim. “Zach quickly started talking and met his speech therapy goals. Bradley is non-verbal and continues to make strides in communicating his needs and wants through his iPad.”
Bradley attends The Day School at The Children’s Institute. His therapists have taught him how to navigate technology and use his augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device to interact with others. He is very social, loves to play jokes on his teachers, and works in The Day School Store. He helps with a variety of tasks at school, from mail delivery and paper shredding to collecting library books.
Integrated therapy services at The Day School have enhanced Bradley’s mobility, including transitions in and out of his wheelchair. He enjoys GymBop®, a music and adapted physical education program combined with therapy services, and likes to spend time upright in the standing wheelchair. Outpatient physical therapy has also provided significant mobility support to Zach, who walks unassisted with foot orthotics. He has learned how to strengthen his core and lower body muscles, which he now maintains through a home exercise program.
Zach, who loves computers and the field of information technology, will receive his diploma from Baldwin High School. He was selected as a fall 2023 UPMC Project SEARCH trainee. This year-long high school transition program prepares students with disabilities for competitive employment through departmental rotations at UPMC Mercy.
“I’m excited to see what the future holds for our sons,” Kim concludes. “Zach will one day live on his own, have a rewarding career, and be a lifelong advocate for his brother. Bradley will have a life with meaning – now with his father, Doug, and me, and then someday in assisted living or a group home, because he is learning to communicate with others.
“Our family’s journey with The Children’s Institute has been amazing,” she continues. “Long-time team members have been helping our boys for almost 17 years, and we have met other parents and children in waiting rooms that we remain connected with to this day. We are like one big family.”
The Children’s Institute provides integrated physical and educational support services that help each child live to their potential. Read more about our Special Education Services.
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