Darby Beaty has an infectious smile. She is happy, silly, smart, and knows exactly what she wants - and she isn’t shy about letting you know. This grit has earned her the nickname “Boss Baby.” There’s nothing stopping the Boss Baby, including cerebral palsy. 

Darby and her mom, Emily, recently checked-in to a Red Mountain Grace apartment while Darby participated in three weeks of Intensive Physical Therapy at Chidlren’s of Alabama. This therapy is grueling, but patients are able to see major improvements in strength, endurance, balance, and movement skills. It is particularly beneficial to CP patients like Darby. 

Birmingham is blessed to have this therapy in our backyard, and Red Mountain Grace is even more blessed to serve families, like the Beatys, from outside of Birmingham who benefit from this amazing, medical treatment. 

Intensive Physical Therapy days are long and strenuous. Patients typically participate in therapy every day for three weeks. Having an apartment to stay in versus a hotel room makes a huge difference for our Intensive Physical Therapy guests, and not just financially. Families have the space and means to not only relax after the long days, but to also cook meals, wash clothes, work remotely instead of using PTO, and complete necessary at-home exercises.

For three weeks, Darby worked hard on her mobility. She began each day with “spa time,” which included weighted heat, a massage, and stretching. She worked with therapists on standing up and sitting down, navigating ramps, side stepping, and transferring in and out of her chair. Intensive Physical Therapy is hard and exhausting, but Darby’s determination and grit are nothing short of amazing.

Once all the difficult parts were out of the way, it was time for Boss Baby’s favorite part - riding the bike. She worked so hard to be able to pedal on her own, and she loves it! Before leaving Birmingham, she was able to trade in her old trike for a new one, thanks to AMBUCS of Birmingham, Alabama. 

Darby graduated from this round of Intensive Physical Therapy with flying colors. The 5-year-old also became a pro at navigating the hallways of her RMG apartment building. We know the Boss Baby won’t let anything hold her back. We can’t wait to see her again in a few months for another round. Until then, she’ll be keeping the sidewalks of her hometown hot on her new trike. 

“To Red Mountain Grace, thank you. Thank you for generously providing housing for us close by. The apartment was spacious, clean and well stocked. We were able to get to therapy in about 6 minutes. Afterwards we could quickly return and have a nice nap. We were able to eat most meals at the apartment, since we had a full kitchen. Having a washer and dryer was wonderful! We loved being able to easily park and not worry about the weather or our security.  Lindsey, Austin, Natalie, Liz, and the rest of the RMG team went above and beyond at every opportunity to make everything nice and easy for us. We are happy we had the chance to meet you. When you stopped by on my birthday with cookies, a birthday card and RMG shirts I was taken back by your kindness and willingness to serve! Thank you.” - Beaty Family