New South Clinic Opening Offers Child with Cerebral Palsy a Second Chance

Omari Henry - Web
Omari Henry, 7, at Seattle Children’s South Clinic.

Cynthia Gordon was just 25 weeks into her pregnancy with her son, Omari Henry, when she fell to the floor of her home, seizing uncontrollably. She was rushed to the hospital and Omari was born a short time later.

Thankfully, both mom and baby made it through the delivery, but not without some complications. Omari suffered brain hemorrhaging from the stress of the birth, and he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

When Omari was 3 years old, Gordon found Seattle Children’s Federal Way Clinic, which offered occupational therapy and physical therapy. There, Omari made huge strides, but eventually, he needed services the clinic couldn’t provide anymore.

“I remember our physical therapists telling us, ‘Maybe one day we’ll see Omari again, when we get a bigger facility with more equipment. Then we won’t have to turn anyone away,’” Gordon said.

Coming back to Seattle Children’s

Today, that dream will come true when Seattle Children’s opens the new Seattle Children’s South Clinic at 34920 Enchanted Parkway South in Federal Way. With 32,000 square feet of space, the new clinic will house more than 15 pediatric specialty clinics, including cardiology, gastroenterology, orthopedics and sports medicine. The clinic will also include an evening/weekend/holiday urgent care clinic, radiology, a sports therapy gym, and – most importantly for Omari, who is now 7 years old – occupational and physical therapy services.

“We were so excited when he heard about the opening of Seattle Children’s South Clinic,” said Gordon. “Omari asks every day, ‘when can we go back?’ The need in this area is just so tremendous! There will be a functional kitchen for the kids, so Omari will learn therapeutic cooking skills, from kneading dough, to pouring stuff, to using utensils. The skills he’ll learn are invaluable.”

South Clinic Exterior
Seattle Children’s South Clinic opened on Aug. 18, 2015.

The new clinic replaces the Seattle Children’s Federal Way facility, which closed on Aug. 12.

“A great deal of thought went into making this clinic right for kids like Omari,” said Katherine Flynn, director of Seattle Children’s South Clinic. “Families in South King and Pierce counties will have access to even more of the services and extraordinary specialists available at our main campus, as well as after-hours urgent care, in a convenient location. I’m excited to welcome patients to this new facility.”

Gordon added: “When you’re already dealing with a sick child, traveling from Federal Way or Tacoma all the way to Seattle Children’s main campus can be a challenge. Now patients and families can find providers close to home. They really do put patients and families first.”

For more information on Seattle Children’s South Clinic or to make an appointment, click here or call 206-987-2000 or 866-987-2000.