Jaxon's Story: Local Family Finds Help at Home with Occupational Therapy Program
When your child is struggling and you don’t have answers, even the smallest victories can feel out of reach. Heather Kile experienced just that when her son, Jaxon, was first diagnosed with neurological challenges. There were so many questions, and not many answers.
“I had no idea,” she recalls. “You don’t know what you don’t know.”
Everyday tasks that most take for granted were seemingly impossible for Jaxon. Actions like tying shoelaces, coordinating movements, and even catching a ball presented struggles. His parents wanted him to feel confident and experience the same joys as other kids his age. Most of all, they didn’t want him to feel alone.
That’s when they found Occupational Therapist Amanda Weller at WVU Medicine, in Martinsburg.
Amanda is an Eastern Panhandle native who was eager to come home and serve her community. Her therapy methods aim to meet the patients where they are. She describes it as, “a child-led, play-based approach,” adding, “it’s all relationship-based, so I’m not making them do something that’s really difficult for them. I’m building it up and scaffolding it to their abilities.”
Through individualized therapy sessions, Jaxon began working on coordination, sensory processing, and motor skills in a way that felt achievable and encouraging. From learning how to perform jumping jacks to improving his handwriting and academic work, the growth has been steady and meaningful.
“Things we take for granted that seem normal to us, Amanda was able to help him reach those goals,” Heather shares. “And she teaches us how to help him at home, so he doesn’t lose those skills. That’s been amazing.”
The program didn’t just make a difference for Jaxon, though. It empowered his entire family. His mom says learning alongside him has helped her better understand what he is physically capable of and how to support him in everyday life. That shared understanding has strengthened their bond and boosted Jaxon’s confidence.
But for the Kile family, one of the greatest blessings is having this specialized care so close to home.
“It’s literally eight minutes from my house,” Heather says. “When he was first diagnosed, I was frantic. There weren’t a lot of places to take a child his age around here. To not have to drive hours away and to have something like this close to home, it makes a world of difference.”
Looking back, Heather calls the program a “blessing in disguise.” What began as fear and uncertainty has turned into growth, connection, and confidence.
Having access to this level of care in their own community has made all the difference, and it’s something she hopes more families will discover.
“I want parents to absolutely find out about this in any way that they can," she said. "It’s opened so many pathways for Jaxon and opened our eyes to how we can help our child learn and grow.”