rockin’ the spectrum

SHE ROCKS THE SPECTRUM AND BEYOND

Vee Patel, a Southwest Florida mom of two, created a space for children of all abilities to learn, grow and have fun. BY E. COPELAND

Southwest Florida performing artists and instructors talk about how students can hone their skills through individual instruction. NEXT LEVEL Above, Vee Patel is with her daughter, Zara, the inspiration for opening a We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym in Southwest Florida. The gym is designed for children of all abilities. On the opposite page are a few photos from the gym’s grand opening celebration in November.

er family at home, Vandana Patel, lovingly known as “Vee,” is at her family gym, We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym. It’s April, and COVID-19 is in full swing, but Vee doesn’t mind. She is waiting at her gym to assist essential workers with child care. But there’s more. Let me take you to the beginning, and the story of We Rock the Spectrum Fort Myers, a gym for children of all ability levels, which opened November 9. Vee’s dream of this gym began with the birth of her daughter, who has Angelman Syndrome. I spoke with her by phone in April, minding my social distance, with follow-ups via email (the conversation has been edited for space and clarity):

EC: Thank you for sharing your story. How did you discover the need for this type of gym?

Vee: Our kids are the inspiration and motivation behind bringing We Rock the Spectrum to the Southwest Florida community. Zara was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome in 2016, a rare neurogenetic disorder which exhibits symptoms such as developmental delays, no speech or minimal speech, seizures, sleep disorders, frequent laughter, excitable personality, and walking/balance disorders. Aman and Zara love playing with each other and we always struggled finding a place outside our home where both can play together.

After taking Zara to various therapies over the past three years, I had the opportunity to meet parents with kids of all abilities. Zara has progressed tremendously because of early intervention, so it was then I realized the need for a safe and inclusive environment for all kids to play and have fun together, all while understanding the behaviors that come hand-in-hand with developmental challenges.

Working with kids has always been my passion, so it was a sign when I came across the We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym franchise. After visiting the Boca Raton location, it was love at first sight. I am very grateful that we now have a sensory-based gym in Southwest Florida for all kids of all abilities to play together, to learn from each other and reach their highest potential.

EC: Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? Background? Are you married? How many children do you have?

Vee: I was born in India and grew up in Minnesota. I have a Bachelor of Science in Business from Carlson School of Management at University of Minnesota. I have been married to Ankur Patel for almost 15 years. We have a 10-year-old son, Aman, and 6-year-old daughter, Zara.

EC: What are your future plans?

Vee: If I was asked five years ago where I see myself, I would have never imagined to be involved in the special needs community and have found my passion to help kids of all abilities to reach their highest potential by opening a Kid’s Gym.

I don’t like the words “special needs,” should be “special abilities,” all the weaknesses are overpowered with their special strengths. Seeing how kids and adults have reacted to Zara’s special abilities, it’s eye-opening to see the lack of education and acceptance of inclusion.

We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym

is the platform for inclusion and education. Zara has given me a purpose in my life and I wouldn’t trade it for anything different.

Along with managing a new business, I am also coordinating an awareness walk for … Angelman Syndrome. (It’s scheduled for September 12 at Harbour Plaza.)

Zara is showing progress because of early intervention. She works hard every day to do basic tasks that are usually taken for granted. We also plan on starting a second gym.

EC: What does We Rock the Spectrum offer?

Vee: This is an indoor sensory-based kid’s gym for all kids of all abilities. Our unique equipment will assist all children in their neurological growth and development.

We offer: • Open Play — everyone is welcome to come and play during Open Play hours • Birthday parties — rent the entire gym for a private event • Melissa and Doug retail • Respite and Break Time care • Classes — social skills, talking tots, yoga, dance and parent support group • Occupational therapy and speech therapy at the gym through our partners at Mosaic Therapy • School field trips • And camps will be coming soon.

EC: How has COVID-19 affected you?

Vee: We are offering free Break Time/Drop Off thanks to sponsorship through My Brother Rocks the Spectrum Foundation. This is available to health professionals, first responders, grocery store workers and essential emergency personnel. Limited to staff availability. For all kids ages 4 and older; must be potty trained and able to play in a group.

We want to take the time to thank all of our essential workers and let them know that we support them anyway we can.

EC: Vee, take me through a typical day of your life, before COVID.

Vee: After the kids take the bus to school, I leave to go to the gym, which opens at 9 a.m. I am there every day in the morning to meet all the parents and interact with the kids. I either have family or staff members at the gym while I pick up Zara from school to take her to therapy. I am back at the gym for a couple hours and we close the gym at 6 p.m. The gym is cleaned and ready for the next day.

EC: What steps did you take to start this business?

Vee: I wanted to open the gym as soon as possible so kids can come and start playing. After we signed with the franchise, we were able to find the perfect location on U.S. 41 near Alico Road, which is central to the entire Southwest Florida community. Along with the contractor, we did a lot of hands-on work to save time and money. Thanks to family and friends for their hard work, we opened within four months.

EC: What are the obstacles you have faced and overcome?

Vee: Thankfully, we didn’t have many. We had to postpone our initial grand opening date by two weeks because we wanted to make sure everything was perfect for the big day.

EC: What were the rates and what you were you offering before COVID?

Vee: Our regular Open Play visit is $14 per child and $12 for siblings, or purchase packages: • 3 visits for $36 • 5 visits for $55 • 12 visits for $125

We also offer free delivery of all Melissa and Doug purchases of a minimum of $40 within a 10-mile radius or schedule a curbside pickup.

EC: What is your favorite of all the activities?

Vee: Zipline — it has a swing and kids go across … loved by all ages! It helps so much with coordination, going up the steps, giving them courage and strength to hold on.

EC: What would you like to leave to the world? Any words?

Vee: Inclusion. This is my best word. I hope my legacy is that all kids with any ability along with their siblings can go to a place as a family and bond under one roof. So many times not all the kids have the chance to have fun together. From 6 months to 12 years — but there are no age restrictions. Even high school students find fun and activities to do. ESE classrooms often come to use the sensory equipment. The gym also allows for children to meet their therapy goals, outside of therapy. It offers more practice to them.

All I wanted was to make a difference in our community, I love helping kids, this gym is my platform to help the community.

What they’re saying Indeed, Vee may be already sowing inclusion in Southwest Florida. The gym’s Facebook page is peppered with testimonials. Here are just a couple:

“Love this place! Such a great spot to bring my kids. It’s so fun for them and not overwhelming at all. We would normally go to Chuckie Cheese and it was so overstimulating and crazy in there. The kids can barely focus in these kinds of places. We found we rock the spectrum to be so calming not only for our kids but for our children as well. We will continue to stay supporting the fort myers rock the spectrum family! Thank you for what you do for our community!” — Julyssa Alvero

“Great place for kids to explore. The owner is just the nicest; she generally seems like she cares/ wants you and your child to have a nice time.” — Tyfannie Lions