Three Years of Progress, A Lifetime of Possibility

At Heartspring, we love celebrating small wins because we know they can lead to incredible transformations.

One step might not seem like a big deal, but over time, we notice the children we serve making leaps and bounds — sometimes literally.

Take Elizabeth, for example. Born with a brain tumor, Elizabeth had to fight for her first words and steps. Now? She’s somersaulting in physical therapy, learning to dress herself in occupational therapy, and even graduated from speech therapy last year.

“I watched the video we did back then and realized it felt like the beginning of the story, not the end. At that time, it was a win just to have her walking down the hallway.” – Emily, Elizabeth’s Mom

Her family and therapists are extremely proud of her progress, but more importantly, Elizabeth takes pride in her accomplishments. She’s excited about working on new skills and playing games with her therapists in the Heartspring Pediatric Clinic. Her independence and confidence continue to grow as she does.

Elizabeth’s therapy goals also change to meet her needs at different stages of her development.

“As a preschooler, it’s really important that Elizabeth is successful outside of her home and her family,” says her occupational therapist, Emily Anderson. “I set out the activities and let her problem-solve through and make her own path.”

Our therapists help her develop skills to build her independence, so Elizabeth can put on a jacket by herself, manage her backpack, and fully participate with her peers.

“When we sit back and let kids problem-solve, their cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills create the foundation for independence.” – Emily Anderson, OT

Like most things in life, it’s about balance. Pediatric therapies help support Elizabeth’s development with appropriate accommodations, but they also allow her to strengthen her weaknesses and create her own path.

We can’t wait to see where Elizabeth goes next, but one thing’s for sure, she’s going to do it her way!

Watch Elizabeth’s Original Success Story: