Provider Profile – Suzanne Childs, BHS Occupational Therapist

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Across the country, there are nearly 135,000 Occupational Therapists, and Suzanne Childs, who provides this specialized care at the Center for Rehabilitation at BMC, says OT goes beyond helping someone regain their functions for work.
 
"We promote functional independence for people and help restore not only vocational skills, but also homemaking and daily living skills," said Childs. "Occupational Therapy covers the full range of activities people of all ages do to live functional, meaningful lives."
 
Suzanne has been with BMC since 1994 and has served as an Occupational Therapist in the Berkshires for nearly 30 years, most of that time in the outpatient setting. She came to the Berkshires after providing OT services in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and later New York state.
 
"Occupational Therapists often work together with Physical Therapists, but our roles are quite unique. PT focuses on improving the patient's ability to move their body, whereas I concentrate on improving my patient's ability to perform activities of daily living. We help our patients to do things beyond their PT care, such as brushing their teeth, getting dressed, making meals and all of their other everyday tasks that may have been impeded by an illness or injury."
 
Suzanne is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and completed her clinical education at Toledo Mental Health in Ohio and Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia. Over the years, she has provided care for spinal cord injury, stroke, post-acute rehabilitation for children and young adults and general rehabilitation.
 
If you need Occupational Therapy or any kind of rehabilitative care, ask your primary care provider for a referral or call the Center for Rehabilitation at BMC at 413-447-2234.




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Pittsfield Councilors Want Enforcement on E-Bikes

By Brittany PolitoiBerkhsires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Two city councilors have asked for better enforcement and communication around irresponsible use of e-bikes and other cycles. 

Councilor At Large Kathy Amuso and Ward 3 Councilor Matthew Wrinn submitted a request to increase enforcement of bicycles and e-bikes on Pittsfield streets, install signage in high-traffic areas, and launch an educational program for kids. 

The petition was referred to the Ordinances and Rules subcommittee, Mayor Peter Marchetti, and Police Chief Marc Maddalena. 

"The goal is to make Pittsfield's streets, sidewalks, and crossing safer for cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers," the councilors wrote. 

Over the last several years, motorised bicycles and scooters have become more popular in use and production.  Bird e-scooters piloted in the city in 2022, and North Street got dedicated bike lanes in 2020. 

The councilors in their petition wrote that electric bicycles, mopeds, scooters, and other electric devices have expanded "rapidly" in the city.  They also cited increased reports of dangerous riding, and other communities' efforts to tighten regulations. 

They argued that sidewalk riding is already prohibited [mobility devices are exempt], e-bike riders must follow the rules of the road such as obeying signs and riding with traffic, crosswalks should be walked and not ridden, and helmet use saves lives and is required in Massachusetts for riders 16 and under, though safety advocates stress helmet use for all riders. 

Pittsfield has worked to implement safety measures on West Street, which saw two pedestrian fatalities in 2023.  New infrastructure includes lighting, sidewalk improvements, and raised crosswalks, Rapid Flashing Beacons at key crosswalks, a traffic signal at the intersection, repaving and adjusted lanes, and bicycle accommodations. 

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