Kara Swierz, PT, DPT, M.Ed
Kara Swierz is a Pediatric Physical Therapist and a New Product Consultant for AdaptiveMall.com. Originally from New Hampshire, she currently resides in the Phoenix area of Arizona with her small family.
Kara is an alumnus of Northern Arizona University, where she received her Bachelor's in Exercise Science and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She recently returned to Northern Arizona University and completed a Master's Degree in Special Education with an emphasis on Mild/Moderate Disabilities and a Graduate Certificate in Assistive Technology in the Fall of 2023.
Kara has had an incredible 20-plus-year career in physical therapy, with the privilege of serving children from birth through 21 and their families in various settings and diagnoses. She is humbled to be a small part of a child's journey to achieve their individualized goals, functional independence, and access into their community. Kara is also a mother of a beautiful daughter with unique abilities. The roles of clinician and caregiver frequently collide and provide her with an opportunity to see the professional and personal perspectives of advocating for a child with disabilities in the many stages and facets of their lives. In both her personal and professional roles, she understands how the proper assistive technology and equipment can make all the difference in a child's lifelong progress and success.
She volunteers as a Parent Leader for Arizona's Family Voices and speaks at colleges to educate students on what it is like to raise a child with a disability. She also sits on the Arizona Department of Education Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAP), representing parents of children with disabilities. In Kara's free time, she finds peace running and training for the next big race.
"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." ― Maya Angelou.
Maya Angelou reminds us to reflect and celebrate every milestone, big or small. The ride comes with peaks and valleys, trials and errors, and there is joy and purpose in all of it.
Kara is new to Adaptive Mall and is excited to work with clinicians and caregivers to find the equipment to best match their child's needs, vision, and goals.
Kara's knowledge base and access to professional resources can assist in making this process more accessible for the caregiver and clinician.
Although she is a licensed physical therapist, Kara cannot act in the capacity of the child's therapist(s). Collaboration with the caregivers and healthcare professionals who know the child best helps Kara gain in-depth knowledge of the child's medical history and abilities. Her main objectives are to provide information and resources while collaborating with the caregiver and clinicians to choose the most appropriate equipment for the child and their family.
Kara's consultation is free of charge at Adaptivemall.com for your equipment selection. Call Kara at 1-800-371-2778 ext 228 or email her at kara@adaptivemall.com. You may also fill out and submit a Size Help Form by clicking here.