Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Bryan.
Beth, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
For 12 years, I worked in a large hospital providing outpatient pediatric physical therapy. I loved my kids and loved my work, but over time, the system changed. Appointments became shorter, productivity demands became higher, and my sessions started feeling more focused on the clock than the child. I felt the weight of red tape that kept me from giving families the time, support, and individualized care they deserved. I knew there had to be a better way to serve them, one that honored their whole story, not just their diagnosis.
In 2020, I took a leap of faith. I left the security of my job and began building a space where therapy could become a ministry, where each child received the time, creativity, and compassion they needed, and where families were embraced with support, community, and Christ-centered love. I started small: adapted cooking classes, adapted exercise groups, Sensitive Santa events, and Snow Days that brought joy to kids who often couldn’t participate in typical community activities. Slowly, this little ministry grew into something so much bigger than I imagined.
Today, five years later, we have helped more than 50 children receive custom Freedom Concepts adapted bikes, fitted specifically for their unique abilities. We just celebrated our third annual family camp in Gulf Shores, Alabama. This is a 5 day camp filled with beach adventures, paddle boarding, kayaking, biking, live animal shows, worship, and family Bible study. Our heart for camp is simple: create a place where kids can be fully themselves, try new things without judgment, and where parents feel supported, encouraged, and seen.
In my clinic, I now see up to 40 children a week for one-on-one pediatric physical therapy. Each session is personalized, intentionally slow-paced, and designed to meet children and families exactly where they are. We also partner closely with Lighthouse Baptist Church to build and grow a special needs ministry. This ministry provides a safe, loving environment for children of all abilities on Sundays and Wednesdays—giving them a place to learn about Christ while giving their parents the gift of uninterrupted worship.What began as a step of faith has become a calling: to create a community where children with disabilities are celebrated, empowered, and given opportunities to grow, and where their families find hope, rest, and support. This is more than therapy. It’s ministry. It’s grace in motion.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Stepping out on my own was a true leap of faith, one I knew God was calling me to take. Leaving the security of a hospital position to build something completely from the ground up came with real challenges. There were weeks without a paycheck as I slowly built my caseload, and unexpected expenses that would pop up at the worst possible time. But in every single season, God has provided exactly what was needed. His faithfulness has been woven into every step of this journey.
The hardest part of my work is something most people never see: loss. Many of the children I serve have significant and complex medical needs, and with that comes the heartbreaking reality that their time on earth may be shorter than anyone hopes. This time last year, I lost two children who had been part of my life and my practice for a long time. Their passing was sudden and deeply painful. Those moments remind me why this work matters so much, why creating joyful experiences, meaningful memories, and safe spaces is urgent. For some families, these opportunities may be among the few moments when their child got to simply be a kid.
Another ongoing challenge has been growth. My heart is to create a place where other working moms (speech therapists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists) can thrive, serve, and balance both their calling and their family life. But finding providers in our area with the specialized experience and credentials to work with medically complex children has been difficult. These kids deserve therapists who understand their needs, their equipment, their medical fragility, and their potential. Building a team that can confidently and compassionately step into that level of care remains one of my greatest hurdles, but one I am committed to overcoming.Every obstacle has strengthened my faith, clarified my mission, and reminded me that this work is so much bigger than me. It is a calling, one I am honored to walk in every day.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Grace in Motion is a pediatric therapy clinic dedicated to serving children with special needs through compassionate, individualized physical therapy. We work with children from birth through young adulthood (our oldest client is currently 22) who present with a wide range of developmental disabilities. Diagnoses commonly seen in our clinic include torticollis, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, rare genetic disorders, and other complex medical conditions.
I am a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Georgia State University and am fully Certified in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (C/NDT). I have completed specialized training in myofascial release and TASES (task-specific electrical stimulation), and in January I will be completing a serial casting certification course to further expand the services available to our families. During the summer months, Grace in Motion is proud to be the only location in Middle Georgia offering aquatic therapy, providing a unique and highly effective treatment option for children with motor, sensory, and neuromotor challenges.
Alongside the clinic, Grace in Motion Ministries is a 501c-3 non-profit that provides community-based programs that support the broader needs of children with disabilities and their families. Our ministry is committed to creating inclusive, joyful spaces where families feel supported, connected, and empowered. Each year, we continue expanding the programs we offer to meet the growing needs of our community.
One of our signature initiatives is the Build-A-Bike Program, in partnership with Georgia Power, which has helped provide dozens of children with custom Freedom Concepts adapted bikes. These bikes give children independence, mobility, and an opportunity to participate in family activities in ways they never could before.
Looking ahead to 2026, Grace in Motion Ministries plans to offer a full year of events and programs, including: Mom’s Night Out, Sensory Picture Days, Camp Haven (our annual beach family camp), Pedal for Possibilities (our annual bike-a-thon), Special Needs Talent Show, Sensory Play Times, Parent Education Days & caregiver support classes. We are most excited about the launch of our podcast, highlighting the incredible stories of the children and families we serve.
Our mission is simple but powerful: to meet every child and family exactly where they are, to provide hope and support without judgment, and to offer opportunities that help each child grow, explore, and thrive. Through Grace in Motion Therapy and Grace in Motion Ministries, we are building a community where abilities are celebrated and families are never alone.
What makes you happy?
There are countless things about my work that bring me joy. There is nothing quite like witnessing a child accomplish something for the very first time, especially when it’s something a doctor once said would never be possible. Whether it’s hearing a first word, taking a first step, or simply lifting their head to look at their mom, those moments are life-changing. They are reminders of resilience, hope, and the incredible things God can do.
Camp is another place where my heart feels full. It is truly rewarding to watch families come together in a space of complete acceptance, where no one has to apologize, explain, or worry about what others might think. Seeing kids be their authentic selves while trying new experiences, laughing freely, and exploring without judgment is one of the greatest gifts of this work.
I also love getting to know each family on a personal level: the child, the parents, the siblings, their stories, their struggles, and their victories. Being invited into their lives and trusted with their child’s care is something I never take lightly. I am beyond grateful for the families who believe in me, who show up week after week, and who are willing to try the new ideas and approaches I bring into our sessions. This is, without question, the most rewarding job in the world. Every day, I have the privilege of working with living miracles. And every day, I am reminded why this calling is so special.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.graceinmotionkids.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grace_in_motion_kids/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581882997333
Image Credits
Logan Leigh Photography
