Caring for Kids with Special Needs

July 5, 2019

Written By Adam Buckallew

The Kenny Rogers Children’s Center in Sikeston, Mo., which provides a wide array of developmental and therapeutic services to children with special needs, has a new tool to design and create intricate prosthetics. In December 2018, the MFA Oil Foundation presented a $2,000 grant to the center to aid in the purchase of a 3D printer capable of producing custom-fit orthotics.

Brandy Dallas, clinical coordinator and physical therapist at the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center, says the 3D printer will provide much-needed prosthetics while saving families money.

“There are endless possibilities of prosthetics we can print with this machine,” says Dallas. “The best part is that we can make them for only a few dollars versus the thousands of dollars that the insurance companies would charge.”

According to Dallas, the 3D printer can use precision scanning technology to create orthotics that fit children better than those created by an actual orthotist. Another benefit of having the 3D printer at the facility is the ability to more quickly create orthotics. Instead of waiting three to four weeks to receive them from the orthotist, children at the center can be fitted for their various orthotics and receive them in one to two days.

Dallas says the support of organizations like the MFA Oil Foundation is what allows the center to improve the quality of life for children dealing with maladies like down syndrome, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, autism and more.

“We have received previous grants from MFA Oil, and every dollar truly goes to upholding our mission,” says Dallas. “Due to the generosity of companies like MFA Oil, we can continue to offer advanced treatment opportunities to special needs children at little or no cost to their families.”

For more information on the center’s services or to make a donation, visit
www.kennyrogerscenter.org.