In early 2021, CDD clinicians Laura Fisher and Katie Laubscher attended a fundraiser for the St. Ambrose University Dance Marathon (SAUDM), where they helped announce SAUDM funds would be used to build a new inclusive playground at CDD. They thanked the students for their fantastic fundraising efforts. Later that year, construction on CDD’s new playground, which had been delayed by Covid-19 restrictions, finally began.

Even when the construction was completed, Covid restrictions limited use of the playground to carefully monitored therapeutic activity. In spring of 2022, CDD had the opportunity to thank the St. Ambrose students again, but this time at CDD. With Covid restrictions somewhat eased, the students were able to see the new playground in person. Even better, they got to hear about the important therapeutic role the playground would play in treatment for CDD’s patients. And even better than that, they got a chance to experience the fun kids will have for years to come, spinning, swinging, sliding, rolling, and more.

The students laughed and yelled as they explored the playground. They got out their phones, posted and Tweeted, including using a fundraiser app that was sending contributions on the spot. Many of those students were preparing for careers in health care. Perhaps they will use the playground again in the future, providing therapeutic care to CDD patients.