Promotion of Fitness and Physical Activity across the Lifespan for Individuals with Cerebral Palsy

 Featuring Guest Lecturer:  Deborah Thorpe, PT, PhD, PCS

4:30 p.m.    Registration

5:00 p.m.    Program commencement, Hampton House Auditorium.

6:30 p.m.    Dinner, Kennedy Krieger Outpatient Center
                    801 North Broadway,   2nd   Floor

Light snacks will be served before the program, with dinner to follow afterwards.

Parking is free and is available in the Ashland garage adjacent to the Outpatient Center.

Speaker Biography

DEBORAH THORPE, PT, PHD, PCS.  Dr. Thorpe has been a pediatric physical therapist for 24 years and is a Pediatric Certified Specialist with the American Physical Therapy Association. Her research focuses on fitness and physical activity interventions and standardization of aerobic and anaerobic measures of fitness for persons with developmental disabilities across the lifespan. She recently completed a study funded by NIH (K23-RR024054-0123) investigating the development of secondary conditions and community-based aquatic interventions for adults with cerebral palsy. Dr. Thorpe is presently investigating the effect of somatosensory input paired with virtual reality as an intervention to facilitate more symmetrical gait patterns in adults with cerebral palsy. In addition, she is investigating metabolism and physical activity in twin sets, where one twin has cerebral palsy and one twin is developing typically.

The Harryman lecture was created in honor of Susan Harryman, who served as the director of physical therapy at Kennedy Krieger for 36 years. She is recognized for her clinical excellence and contributions, particularly in the area of cerebral palsy, her advocacy for individuals with disabilities, and her influential mentorship to healthcare professionals and parents.