Articles about Regi Boehme

Boehme shared therapeutic gifts Author overcame polio, then helped others
By ERIK A. CARLSON ecarlson@journalsentinel.com
Posted: July 7, 2004

Regina "Regi" Boehme decided at a young age that she would not only overcome polio but also help children overcome their own physical ailments.

That generosity of spirit was contagious, said Boehme's husband of 22 years, John Boehme.

"Just being around her seemed to make people search for the best they had," he said.

Regi Boehme, of Brown Deer, published a number of books on the subject of occupational therapy for children, including one called "Improving Upper Body Control," which is still in wide use as a textbook for people studying the field.

She died Saturday from complications of multiple sclerosis, which she was diagnosed with in 1997, John Boehme said. She was 59.

Boehme contracted polio when she was 18 months old, but the lifelong effects on her lower body and her recent battle with multiple sclerosis couldn't slow her down, her brother Kelly Bigliardi said.

"Most humans would have thrown in the towel many years ago," Bigliardi said.

A native of Dearborn, Mich., Boehme graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in occupational therapy. She was part of a group in Milwaukee that helped perfect and bring neuro‑developmental treatment to the United States from England.

Boehme and her husband traveled the world teaching seminars until recent years, when Boehme's health began to worsen. Wherever the couple would go, they would find adventure, said John Boehme, 61.

The Boehmes started the Boehme Workshop to perform neuro‑developmental treatment, myofascial release and cranial sacral therapy for children and adults with motor difficulties.

Boehme had several close calls with her health in the last two years, according to Bigliardi, 62, who lives in the San Francisco Bay area. But she still practiced therapy as recently as last week, John Boehme said.

Although she was unable to perform the full duties of a therapist in the last couple of years, John Boehme said, she was always there with a keen eye assisting in many aspects of occupational therapy, especially the emotional well‑being of the patients.

"Her practice as a therapist was an art form ‑ it was a joy to watch," her husband said. "As a teacher she was just totally inspirational, so there are thousands of children out there getting better treatment because of her."

Visitation hours will be at 4 p.m. Thursday with a memorial service to follow at 6 p.m. at the Krause Funeral Home, 7001 W. Brown Deer Road.

NDTA NETWORK September/October 2004
Regi: An Inspiration and a Friend
By Rona Alexander, Ph.D., CCC‑SP

Regina Louise Bigliardi Fessenbecker Haebig Boehme. Since my memory is not what it used to be, I am not exactly sure of the date in 1976 when our lives became connected. It may have happened on one of my visits to the Curative Workshop (now the Curative Rehabilitation Center) in early 1976 before I actually moved to Milwaukee. It may have happened in June of that year when I officially joined the staff at Curative and began working with Regi who was the supervisor of the pediatric OT department at the time. One thing I am sure of is that my life changed both professionally and personally when I met her. Regi was always searching for greater knowledge. I remember how pleased she was when she finally got the opportunity to take her 8 week basic pediatric NDT course. Of course, she did not stop there, but went on to become an NDT OT instructor, as well as a teacher and mentor for many of the NDT OT instructors teaching today. Regi searched for answers to many questions as she expand‑ed her knowledge into other treatment approaches and into other areas of healing of the mind, body, and spirit. She shared so much of what she learned along the way with us and with the children and their families she treated and encouraged over the past 30 years.

I must say that my greatest joy in knowing Regi did not come from the workshops we taught together, although there have been many successful ones. It did not come from the book we co‑authored with Barb Cupps, although it brought us all great plea‑sure and pride when it was completed. It did not come from our opportunities to co‑treat children together, although these were wonderfully fulfilling times for both of us. My greatest joy in knowing Regi has come through our friend‑ship of over 28 years and the family bonds we created. I will miss her forever, but take great comfort in all that she left me to share with each of the lives I touch in the future. I know that there are many others like me who will be sharing a little bit of Regi with A Life Well Lived and a Rich Legacy Left Behind REGI BOEHME, 1945‑2004

Regi Boehme passed away on July 3, 2004. She will be missed by those who knew her and benefited from her extraordinary energy and optimism. Regis enormous contribution to the field of Neuro‑Developmental Therapy, both in terms of practice and writing, is remembered by two therapists who worked closely with her over the years. the children they treat and the students they teach for many years to come.

Rona Alexander, Ph.D., CCC‑SP, is in private practice in Wauwatosa, WI. She can be reached at ralex@execpc.com.

NDTA NETWORK September/October 2004
Regis Triumphant Journey
By Linda Klieban, PT

In the world of Neuro-Developmental Treatment, Regi Boehme was a well known and highly respected occupational Therapy Instructor, her work spanning over 30 years. For many years, Barbara Cupps and I were privileged to teach with Regi in our Basic and Advanced NDT Courses, along with Rona Alexander. We were the Milwaukee Team and it was a wonderful experience.

Regi contributed so much that it's hard to put it into words. In terms of the NDT curriculum, I feel she really pioneered many specific techniques for improving upper extremity function. She was an avid student of typical development, and that led to the book Normal Development of Functional Motor Skills, co-written with Rona and Barbara. Regi was truly gifted at helping OTs define their role within the NDT framework. She was also a master at assessing and treating the whole child and helping students understand the connection between postural control and visual and upper-extremity function. Regi's handling skills were phenomenal; her touch was gentle but always focused and directed. The children and adults that Regi handled knew and trusted her ability to guide them, to push them just a little farther but not too far as they worked to develop a new movement or functional skill.

The interconnection between Regi's work as an OT and her personal journey gave us all students and co-workers alikea perspective that has changed the lives of many of the children and adults with neuromotor disorders with whom we work. At l8 months of age, Regi contracted polio. She knew what it meant to face movement challenges while growing and developing. Yet, despite all the therapy and the many surgeries she endured, Regi participated fully in as many activities as possible. There was no challenge that she would not take on. One of my favorite memories is skiing with her and her husband, John, in Winter Park, Colorado. And it wasn't just bunny hills for Regi. She had to tackle the toughest slopes!

She was the most optimistic person I ever met. Her personal experience contributed to the empathy she had for her clients and their families. And much of her deep understanding of the concepts of NDT and her ability to clearly describe the nuances of handling in her teaching was also enhanced by her firsthand knowledge.

In many ways, both personally and professionally, Regi was a seeker She became an instructor of Myosfascial Release and Craniosacral Therapy based on her experience of seeking these treatments for her-self.

She found that they could also help her clients and she integrated them with her NDT knowledge. Regi always said that NDT was her primary framework and guidepost for clinical decision making. She authored many publications and was still writing only a few days before her passing. Along with her husband, John, she founded Boehme Workshops, disseminating information to thousands of therapists throughout the US and several other countries.

Perhaps one of Regi's most important contributions was her ability to understand the emotional challenges that persons with disabilities and their families face. This came not only from her experience with polio, but from many physical challenges and ill-nesses later in life, including a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. I have never known anyone to endure as much. Yet each experience further enhanced her ability to support others and her quest to find new and better answers.

She taught us how important it is to live each moment, not looking back or too far ahead, how to celebrate the little triumphs each day and how to recognize and deal with the emotional obstacles that often interfere with progress. Although she took her work very seriously, Regi also knew how to have fun and when to use humor. Those who knew Regi well were beneficiaries of the many aspects of her life and her work.

I will miss Regi deeply, as will so many others. But the sadness of her loss is far outweighed by what she left with us. Her legacy will live on, and continue to grow and flourish in the many therapists who knew her as students, co-instructors, and friends. Linda Kliebhan, PT, is an NDT Coordinator-Instructor in pediatrics in private practice in Mequon, Wisconsin. She can be reached at lkliebhan@wi.rr.com.

Another View Autumn 2004
In Loving Memory...
By: Michele Rozansky, PT

It's ironic that this issue of Another View focuses on family, specifically the Orlanu family. With great sadness we say goodbye to Regi Boehme and with great joy, we celebrate her life.

Regi was a world-renowned teacher and clinician of occupational therapy, author of numerous books and publications (including our column on Pain), teacher of meditation and Life Journey classes. She was Holly and Peter's mother, a wife, a daughter, and a sister. Her extended family was forever growing as she embraced those who came into her circle.

Regi was my first teacher to address the emotional issues that people with physical challenges, and their families carry. She also recognized the importance of teaching therapists to clear their own emotional issues allowing them to be more in the moment while treating. She taught children and adults to see their perfection no matter what challenges their bodies carried. There is no shame to move or to speak in a way different from another. Regi spoke to people even if they could not physically hear - communicating with them on the deepest and most respectful level - touching their true Self. She was sharing and teaching unconditional love. We felt this and responded.

When Regi was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, she expanded her practice to include patients living with chronic pain. She started a weekly group offering education, meditation and strategies to support people in their physical bodies. Regi's intention with students was to empower them to discover their inner healer.

Regi was also a strong influence for the creating and founding of Orlanu Therapies. She not only instilled our therapy philosophy, but was also my business coach, consultant, treating therapist, and meditation teacher. The greatest compliment that Regi gave me was coming to me, her student, for her own physical therapy.

We learned from Regi how to be better therapists. Even more of us learned how to be better people. She taught us to "realize" who we really are, and what matters. All of us loved her will miss Regi as she continues to work, memories and stories.

With Love,
Michele

On July 3, 2004 at 11:07 am, our dear beloved Regi left us and went on a new journey. Family, friends and colleagues surrounded her as she took her last breath. Regi came into this world on April 22, l945 in Dearborn MI. She graduated from Western Michigan University and had been practicing Occupational Therapy for over 30 years. A recipient of the NDTA Award of Excellence, Regi was a world‑renowned clinician and teacher. Regi authored numerous books and publications. In her twenty years as a teacher she inspired and mentored thousands of therapists across the world and dedicated her career to healing others. A survivor of childhood polio, Regi was especially gifted at helping children overcome physical and emotional obstacles Regi had a passion for life that was infectious to anyone who had the pleasure of being with her. Her heart and searching spirit invited those around her to join her on "The Journey".

Though unable to teach in recent years due to her MS she continued to be an inspiration and guide for Boehme Workshops. Her leadership to the instructors was continual and never‑ending. We will be forever thankful for the gifts she shared with us.

In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund has been created in Regi's name through the Neuro‑Developmental Treatment Association. Checks for contributions can be made out to: "NDTA Attn: Regi Boehme Scholarship Fund". Contributions should be mailed to: NDTA, 1550 S. Coast Hwy., Suite 201, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

Despite the physical loss of our friend we will continue down the Path with Regi in our hearts guiding us 'til we meet again.'