SUBMITTED PHOTO Erin Grujic works with kids in her Sensational Path mobile sensory clinic in the Pincher Creek area. She's moving down to the Hat soon and bringing the bus with her.
Erin Grujic is moving to town from Pincher Creek and she’s bringing her Sensational Path bus along.
An occupational therapist by trade, Grujic has used the bus as a travelling clinic for children for the past 18 months.
“I had this idea that I wanted to have a clinic that travelled with me to the communities that I went to, so that the families didn’t have to travel to their appointments,” she said.
It was done with the help of ATB’s Boostr crowdfunding program, which allows small startups get off their feet.
This allowed her to purchase a bus and convert it into a mobile sensory clinic, or as she describes it, “a playground on wheels.”
It’s travelled to communities, such as Fort Macleod, Claresholm, Crowsnest Past, Nanton and Granum, and now Medicine Hat and region, Grujic added.
Her inspiration for the project came when she resided in Slovenia and saw a picture of a gymnastics bus.
“I had just finished my training for sensory integration and was looking at ways to set up a clinic. This idea came to mind and I thought that would be a great way to have a service that moved around with me,” said Grujic.
She says this wasn’t feasible in Slovenia, but when she moved to Pincher Creek and heard about the Boostr program, she saw an opportunity to give it a shot.
“I tested it out and people seemed to like the idea, so I built it,” said Gujic.
She has a contract with the Livingstone Range School Division in the Fort Macleod area to conduct sensory therapy, where she conducts school visits, bringing the bus about half the time.
“I don’t have to worry about not having a space to work in. I have my clinic that goes with me and my equipment that comes with me,” said Grujic.
“It’s been really good for having sessions with families, so I can show parents different activities that we do in the bus and how they can do them on their own at home, or the playground.”
Those looking for more information or to book an appointment can visit sensationalpath.com.
