Video: Regional Rehab Helps Thousands Overcome Disabilities

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) -For more than 5 decades, a Tupelo based non profit has helped those with various disabilities.  Next week, the Regional Rehabilitation Center will hold a fundraising dinner and honor a local humanitarian.  WCBI’s Allie Martin visited the center and shows us how one local family has benefitted from the compassionate care.

Every Wednesday, Peggy Hallmark brings her daughter, Secora, to the Regional Rehabilitation Center.

Doctors believe Secora was born with Noonan’s Syndrome. It is a condition that affects many areas of the body and is characterized by  short stature, heart defects,  and many other signs and symptoms.

“She has a hole in her heart, which, she will have to have surgery for that.  But the main reason we came here, she wasn’t crawling,” said Peggy Hallmark.

Secora’s sessions at the center could be called “playing with a purpose.”  Each activity helps her balance, coordination and strength.

“Last July, she took her first steps, which was very exciting. She’s come such a long way in such a short period of time,  Regional Rehab, I can’t say enough good things about them,” Hallmark said.

Secora is one of about 1,500 people who received services from Regional Rehab last year.

“We give physical therapy, occupational therapy , speech therapy, early intervention and also audiology services and we do that for free,” said Director Robby Parman.

Funding for the center comes from a number of sources and next week, the first “Red Rasberry Humanitarian Awards Dinner” will take place.  It is named after one of the founders of Regional Rehab and organizers plan to make it an annual fundraiser.

For families like the Hallmarks, the center is a Godsend.

“It’s a load off, because we don’t have to worry about the financial part, because we can come here and not worry about having to pay, and that way she gets the help that she needs,” Hallmark said.

It takes a staff of 16, countless volunteers and an annual budget of $1.1 million to help patients like Secora.

The “Red Rasberry Humanitarian Awards Dinner” takes place next Tuesday at the Summit Center in Tupelo.  For ticket information, go to www.regionalrehabcenter.com