Once a Children’s patient, now a highly-decorated wheelchair basketball coach

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Savannah Gardner is a former Children’s of Alabama patient who now works as a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) at Children’s at Lakeshore and head coach of the Lakeshore Lakers.

Since 1911, Children’s has served countless families from across the Birmingham area and Alabama. This year, they’re turning 113!

Keep reading for Savannah’s story and how Children’s played a crucial role in her life.

Savannah Gardner was destined to help others

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) at 13 months old, Savannah Gardner grew up going to physical therapy three to four times a week and being treated by the amazing Children’s of Alabama staff.

Savannah told me that because her mom is an occupational therapist and her dad is a social worker, she believes she was destined for a career centered around helping others.

“Physical therapy (PT) was very instrumental throughout my childhood and my life. When I was deciding on a career path, I knew I wanted to give back to families and kids in the same way that my physical therapist helped me.

I always knew Children’s is where I wanted to land.”

Savannah Gardner, Speech Language Pathologist, Children’s at Lakeshore

What role do sports play in rehabilitation?

Savannah started playing wheelchair basketball in middle school and went on to play at The University of Alabama on a scholarship.

When I spoke to her, Savannah said that she found a sense of purpose in playing basketball.

“Sports play a huge role in rehabilitation. I can speak to that from a professional and personal standpoint.

Finding out about wheelchair basketball when I was 12 was a game-changer for me. If I just had physical therapy, I never would’ve had the outlet that sports gave me, or found a purpose or an identity.”

Savannah Gardner, Speech Language Pathologist, Children’s at Lakeshore

Coach of the Year + back-to-back NWBA championship

If you’re not familiar with the Lakeshore Lakers, you will be now.

Birmingham’s National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) team won back-to-back championships—in a league with 200+ teams.

But that’s not all the team celebrated—this year, Savannah took home the gold as the Coach of the Year (the first female to ever win the title)!

Help Children’s continue their legacy in Alabama + beyond. Donate or give in honor of the hospital’s 113th birthday.

Bringing Children’s at Lakeshore to Birmingham

In 2018, Children’s of Alabama and Lakeshore Foundation partnered to bring clinical and therapy services to Lakeshore’s campus.

Some basics about Children’s at Lakeshore: 

• Who it’s for: Children + adolescents with recent-onset or chronically disabling conditions
• What it provides: 
  • A medically-based model of care 
  • Community-based healthy living + transitional services

“Communicating that we’re here to help is why those of us in this profession do what we do—so we can come alongside the families.”

Savannah Gardner, Speech Language Pathologist, Children’s at Lakeshore

Savannah has been an SLP with Children’s at Lakeshore for nearly five years now, and she loves connecting with families in the same way she was treated as a Children’s patient.

“When the families come every week, see the progress and get educated on how to do those things at home, it decreases the fear.

For families that are particularly worrisome about it, I’m able to use my personal story and say, ‘Yes, I get that it’s scary, but I was also there.’ It may have been for a different reason, but that still was me at one point, and I’ve been able to make all of this progress.”

Savannah Gardner, Speech Language Pathologist, Children’s at Lakeshore

Happy 113th birthday, Children’s of Alabama!

You can be a part of the impact Children’s of Alabama has on families and individuals in Birmingham and across the state.

Celebrate is an annual statewide event to recognize the beloved hospital’s birthday and honor patients, families, community partners and staff who make it a place of hope and healing.

“I feel very fortunate to have been impacted by Children’s of Alabama for the last 30 years of my life.

I get excited for the next little patient (who I might have the opportunity to work with) to go on and create their own story.”

Savannah Gardner, Speech Language Pathologist, Children’s at Lakeshore

Join the celebration! Sign the birthday card, donate or give to support families statewide.

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