Local business owner, Beth Adkisson Fleming, M.S., CCC-SLP,  of Chatterbox Pediatric Therapy, LLC, an outpatient pediatric therapy clinic located in Pooler and Richmond Hill, Georgia, was selected as a Red Backpack Fund Grant recipient.

Like many small businesses, the impact of COVID-19 on Chatterbox Pediatric Therapy had the potential to extend beyond the walls of the business. As the pandemic started altering every aspect of daily life, Fleming knew if the clinic didn’t survive, the negative effect would be far-reaching in the community. 

“As a business owner, I knew I had to do everything I could to prevent that from happening, so I applied for every bit of financial assistance I came across. I was very excited and grateful to learn we received the Red Backpack Fund Grant!”, says Fleming.

The clinic provides occupational, physical, and speech therapy services for hundreds of children from birth to 21 years old. Many of the children served are medically fragile and some of the families feel uncomfortable leaving their homes. Fleming realized they needed to provide more options to their clients and families. They quickly transitioned to offering virtual therapy services.

The funds received from the Red Backpack Fund Grant are helping Chatterbox Pediatric Therapy purchase Chromebooks for the staff to ensure they are well-equipped to work remotely as well as provide therapeutic interventions virtually to prevent interruption of services for the children.

Fleming states, “What GlobalGiving and the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation are doing to support female business owners through this grant is so important. It means so much to know that Sarah Blakely cares enough to ensure that we could make it through this difficult time. We will forever be grateful for what she has done!”