Farming Therapy
3/29/2001
Play is an important part of healing.
For father Lou Castriota, Jr. of Shrewsbury Township, the dream of special-needs children participating in therapy – fishing in a handicapped-accessible pond, riding horses and romping on nature trails – pushes him toward his goal of establishing Leg Up Farm, Inc.
Group members working to create the therapy farm for children said Wednesday they will build on a site along North Sherman Street in East Manchester Township.
Barbara Warren donated land for a building, and she will allow the children to use many areas of her 200-acre farm. She is giving the group permission to construct a building large enough for administrative offices, rooms for indoor therapy sessions and a pool.
Leg Up officials estimate the project will cost about $7.2 million, and it is scheduled to open in 2004. The farm will provide a range of daily services for children, but has no plans for overnight facilities at this time.
“Almost every child in our area can benefit from this project in some way,” said Castriota, who is chairman of the board. He sees staff working with special needs children, and promoting interaction with other area groups like the Boy Scouts.
In 1997, Castriota kicked around the idea of creating a horse-therapy farm. Six months after he thought about it, he learned his own daughter could benefit from his vision. Brooke, who is now 5, had been diagnosed with a metabolic disorder that causes her to have difficulty with motor skills, balance and speech.
“We can use the assets of a farm in the therapy program,” he said. “By bringing all of these therapies together, we also can create a better way of delivering the services.”
One untraditional approach is horse therapy, a type of activity which allows a child to build muscle strength, balance and promote self-esteem, Castriota said.
Leg Up Farm is on the governor’s capital wish list, said state Sen. Michael Waugh, R-Shrewsbury Township.
“I know they have their heart and soul in the project,” Waugh said. “When it’s finished, it will be a great addition to our health services in York County as well as the whole region.”
By JENNIFER NEJMAN, The York Daily Record