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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Sunday Fire on Dalton Division Rd. Fire Damages Home, Closes Road

Staff reportsiBerkshires

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Firefighters knocked down a kitchen fire on Dalton Division Road in less than an hour Sunday night. 

Around 8:55 p.m., the Fire Department responded to a possible structure fire at 622 Dalton Division. The building's owner had reportedly notified a neighbor that his house was on fire, and the neighbor called 911. 

Fire crews saw smoke coming from the structure; the blaze was under control in 45 minutes, and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries, according to a report by Deputy Chief Daniel Garner.

The home, though, suffered significant damage. 

"The building owner was the only occupant. The owner had alternative lodging for the night as the house, although salvageable, is not fit for occupancy at this time. There is no damage estimate at the time of this writing," Garner wrote on Monday. 

"The first-floor kitchen and second-floor bedroom sustained fire and heat damage. The remainder of the home sustained various amounts of smoke and water damage.

Police closed Dalton Division Road to through traffic for some time during the incident. A provided picture shows broken windows on the home and signs of internal fire. 

PFD responded with Engines 6, 3, 2, and 5, Tower-1, and Car-2. 

Upon arrival, E3 assisted the Ladder company with ventilation and overhaul/salvage. E5 responded as a Rapid Intervention Crew, and E1 responded briefly as a precaution, but the fire was ultimately declared under control in 45 minutes.

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