Friend of The Field Center,

Thank you for visiting our website. The Field Center, a grass roots organization started by the vision of a tenacious parent of a child with cerebral palsy, is in its sixth year of existence. During this time the mission of the Center, to eliminate long-term difficulties faced by children with motor disorders, has remained steadfast. Having worked with children and their families using the Feldenkrais Method for over twenty years, I know first hand the significant impact of this intervention.

This year we have refined and utilized a research protocol designed to mirror scientifically accepted testing and measurement procedures for children with motor disorders. This is the first outcome study showing the efficacy of the Feldenkrais Method when applied to children with motor disorders that has been done in the United States. To date, five children have been through our research program. Their parents are amazed at their progress and research evaluators are excited with the preliminary results. A gratifying note is that we expect up to ten more children to participate in our research program in 2005.

The Field Center research program is designed to scientifically prove - through medically accepted protocols - that children with motor disorders can make significant gains when treated with the Feldenkrais Method. Essential to increasing the number of children the Center can treat is recognition within the medical and health insurance arenas. With recognition of the Feldenkrais Method as a viable early intervention infant and child treatment alternative comes physician referrals and insurance compensation for families.

In addition to outcome research, we must demonstrate that Feldenkrais practitioners specializing in pediatric motor disorders can learn the highly developed FC applications and gain the expertise needed to replicate our research results. Once again, we have made important strides this year. Our first group of trainees spent the past twelve months learning how to apply the Feldenkrais techniques learned in basic training to the specific treatment of children with neuromuscular challenges. In early 2005, this group of trainees will begin their hands-on internship with me and a new group of trainees will begin their study of advanced Feldenkrais techniques specific to children.

This past spring I was invited to present at a symposium hosted by The Feldenkrais Guild and attended by both Feldenkrais practitioners and scientists. I described the work of the Field Center and the response was overwhelmingly positive. We have since had increased inquiry about our programs, visits to our center, and referrals. I am looking forward to opportunities in 2005 to present our TFC research findings and promote programs.

We will be expanding our efforts to educate and support the families of TFC children in 2004. By offering outreach programs for the parents and siblings as well as the other therapists, learning specialists and child-study teams engaged with the child, we believe that The Field Center mission can be accomplished: helping each child to reach maximum potential.

On another note, because our reputation continues to grow, we are anticipating the need for an additional location and have begun exploring the possibility of a Center for Children's Integrated Development in Manhattan. This facility will allow us to expand our training programs, continue our research and meet the demand from New York City families for our services.

We rely on you, old and new friends of The Field Center, to support us as we expand the scope of services The Field Center can provide to children and their families. Please consider a generous contribution to The Field Center.