Meet Vera! She is a Physical Therapist and owner of Milestones Pediatric. Vera provides physical therapy to pediatric patients in the comfort of their own home. Read below to learn more about Vera and her practice.
Full Name: Vera Malushi
Contact Number: 248-622-1854
Find Vera on Instagram: milestones_pediatric_pt
How many children do you have and what are their names and ages?
Aurora, age 8
Phillip, age 2
Where do your children go to school?
Phillip goes to KinderCare
Aurora goes to Doherty Elementary
What are your favorite places to go with your kids in the area?
We go to playgrounds daily. Our favorites are Booth Park in Birmingham, Franklin downtown playground, Inglenook Park in Southfield, Scarlet’s playground in Commerce. We also enjoy walking on Cranbrook grounds and at Johnson Nature Center in Bloomfield.
How did Milestones Pediatric PT get started?
At the height of the pandemic, I realized that families whose kids needed urgent rehabilitation services were postponing seeking PT due to fear of Covid. Going to a busy clinic, sitting in a waiting room, sharing toys/equipment during therapy, all was very scary, especially for parents of young babies or immunosuppressed kids. I felt that it was necessary to create a safer means of deliveries quality PT services. So I created Miletones, an in-home pediatric physical therapy practice.
What do you offer to families?
I provide in-home physical therapy for kids ages 0 to 18 years old. I am vaccinated, I continuously wear a mask and am always Covid conscious. I believe that me coming to families’ homes reduces their risk of exposure to Covid. No waiting rooms, no sharing equipment/toys. I use whatever toys and props that my patients already have in their homes. I accept major health insurance carriers or private pay.
What PT experience do you have that led you to where you are today?
I have always been set on working with kids. My sister is a local pediatrician and I didn’t want to copy her. I went my own route and couldn’t be happier with the career I chose. Every single day I feel blessed to make an impact on kids’ and parents’ lives. I have been practicing in pediatric PT for 5 years now. I am also a National Board Certified Pediatric Specialist of PT. This certification is incredibly challenging to achieve and is awarded to only the candidates that have shown over 2,000 hours of pediatric PT experience and passed a national board examination for which I spent about a year studying.
What should moms look for, as far as early developmental motor milestones? When should they be concerned and contact you?
I believe that parents have a natural instinct when it comes to their child’s health and wellness. If you suspect your child is delayed in a skill, I highly recommend reaching out sooner than later. You can reach out directly to a physical therapist in all 50 states, we are direct access providers.
Some signs to look for that you should discuss with your pediatrician or reach out to me:
- Any asymmetrical movement (using only 1 hand, turning head only to 1 side)
- Unable to sustain tummy time (by 4 months of age, I expect a baby to do 1 hour of tummy time daily, broken up into small sessions)
- Tight muscles (hypertonia) or too loose muscles (hypotonia)
- Delayed milestones (follow pathways.org for most accurate timeframe of milestones)
How can moms contact you if they are interested?
You can contact me by phone (248) 622-1854, email [email protected], or Instagram/Facebook message!
What do you do to balance your own life and motherhood? What do you do for “me” time?
I am constantly working on improving this balance. I put so much energy into my practice and my family, that usually very little time is left for myself. I enjoy having a mobile practice because I drive a lot between patients’ homes and use that time for meditation, listening to music, deep breathing, reflecting. I love spending time outdoors on the weekends, getting massages, hanging out with my girl friends!
Is there anyone you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
I am thankful for my husband being a very hands-on dad and a caring husband. I could not do it without him. He is my partner and we split all parenthood & household chores evenly. I also have my parents helping me quite a bit. I wish them many more years of health to keep up with my kids 😊.
Is there anything else you would like to tell our followers?
I am a mama that is always looking to make more friends and connections. Please feel free to reach out to me for any child development questions or just to make friends. I love that I was a mom before a PT because it gave me more compassion, understanding, and respect for parents. I know it can be scary if you see your child struggling. I want all mamas out there to know that you don’t have to do it alone. It takes a village to raise a child. I can be one source of help that eases your fears and gives you solutions.
