Group Heroes:
Helping Kids with Hemiplegia
“The Helping Kids with Hemiplegia CIMT Camp team is incredibly honored to receive the 2025 Group Heroes Award from the American Stroke Association! This recognition means so much to us and reflects the dedication of our amazing team from UNC Health, who work all year long to create a high-quality, research-based therapeutic experience—wrapped up in a fun and engaging camp for kids with hemiplegia. For the past 19 years, over eight hundred students, occupational therapists, and physical therapists have generously volunteered their time to make this camp possible. Most importantly, we are beyond grateful for the incredible campers and their families who have joined us over the years—they are the heart of this camp, and we’re so lucky to have them as part of the family. These are the group heroes!” – Camp Leadership (Holly Holland, Kerry Blazek, and Hillary Walls)
Helping Kids with Hemiplegia is a camp that empowers young stroke survivors, enhances their confidence and fosters their independence by focusing on functional skills, adaptive strategies and positive reinforcement. This approach connects kids and families with unique resources that can help transform their lives. The organization’s therapeutic day camp lets young stroke survivors practice using their affected limbs to perform daily tasks, fostering skill development and a belief in their own capabilities.
Holly Holland (OTR/L) founded the transformative constraint-induced therapy movement (CIMT) camp, which is based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. CIMT can help people who have faced stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and other conditions that weaken one side of the body. It includes adaptive play, group exercises and therapeutic challenges, encouraging physical and emotional growth in a supportive environment.
Families receive resources on stroke awareness and rehabilitation, equipping them with knowledge and strategies to aid in their child’s ongoing journey.
This camp has had a profound impact on participants and volunteers, and some are even inspired to pursue certain careers because of it. For example, one camper now aspires to attend school to become an occupational therapist, while others have sought opportunities to participate in adaptive sports through the resources introduced at camp. These activities expand their self-belief, show the possibilities post-stroke and integrate them into supportive communities.
Additionally, the group organizes outreach events to raise awareness about pediatric stroke, partnering with health care providers, universities and community organizations. These events showcase the abilities of young stroke survivors and emphasize the importance of early intervention and specialized support for children with hemiplegia. Through these efforts, Helping Kids with Hemiplegia actively educates the public on stroke’s impact and advocates for accessible resources for pediatric survivors.
