In Support of Maggie Derby
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Maggie is a sassy, resilient, and joyful four-year-old who fills
every space with light. She lives with a rare gene-related neurological condition
that affects how her brain communicates with her body, impacting movement, muscle
tone, coordination, and overall development. For children like Maggie, access to
the right therapies—especially early in life—can make a profound difference in what
their future looks like.
One of the most impactful parts
of Maggie’s care has been Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI), a specialized therapy
focused on building strength, control, and purposeful movement. DMI is especially
powerful for children with neurological and genetic conditions because it meets
them where they are and turns hard work into play. Maggie works with SMILE
Therapy for Kids in Burlington, Ontario, where therapy is intentionally designed
to help Maggie stay engaged while pushing her body and brain to grow together. SMILE
Therapy for Kids is under the direction of Jo-Anne Weltman, the co-founder of DMI
therapy which allows Maggie to receive the most intensive and personalized therapy
possible.
Each trip to Canada costs approximately $5,000–$6,000,
which is significantly less than traveling to a comparable intensive in the United
States. Still, the cost is substantial, and because early intervention has such
a strong impact on development, the goal for the coming year is for Maggie to complete
two full rounds of intensive therapy while she is still young and her brain is most
adaptable.
The reality is that raising a child with complex
medical needs is not an even playing field. While it costs an average of about $240,000
to raise a neurotypical child, families raising a child with a disability often
face lifetime costs ranging from $1.4 to $2.4 million—much of it paid out of pocket.
Chris and Blythe are doing everything they can to give Maggie not just what she
needs to survive, but what she needs to thrive.
As a community,
we are wrapping our arms around the Derby family and stepping in to help make this
possible. No gift is too small, no prayer goes unnoticed, and every bit of support
means more than words can express. Please follow along here, where Blythe will be
sharing updates on Maggie’s journey—celebrating progress, perseverance, and the
beautiful, sassy joy that is Maggie.
Updates
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- Created Jan 18, 2026
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Words of Support
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Jean Derby
Kathy Wages
Kimberly Vago
Carol Vago
Terese and Matt
Bill and Faith Parsons