Hannah Smith
Our
daughter Hannah was diagnosed with spina bifida while still in the womb. We
chose to have fetal surgery for her when she was 23 weeks gestation and was born
without further complication at 36 weeks gestation. She learned to roll, sit up
and crawl not far behind her peers, but standing and walking has been a
different story.
At three years old, Hannah walked with the help of a walker, but her walking was getting sloppy; it seemed that her progress had halted. Even her physical therapist seemed to be giving up hope, recommending and ordering Hannah higher bracing.
At this point, we began searching for something more than the two hours of
physical therapy Hannah was allowed by our insurance company each week. That's
when we discovered conductive education. We were impressed by the intensity of
the program, which met several hours each day five days a week, the group
dynamic with positive peer modeling and the focus on practicing independence
skills such as walking and dressing. It all made so much sense.
During Hannah's first session at the Conductive Learning Center of Greater
Cincinnati,she made amazing gains. Her stamina and confidence improved. Her
desire to try things herself increased. She learned to take her socks and shoes
off and on independently and walk with canes instead of a walker. She even
attempted her first independent steps. When we got home to Pittsburgh, everyone
was happily stunned at the difference. Hannah's physical therapist advised us to
put into storage the higher bracing she had previously ordered for Hannah.
Now, we have made a commitment as a family that as long as Hannah continues to thrive
under the guidance of CLCGC's conductors and assistants, we will make the
financial and logistical sacrifice to be in Cincinnati so that she can
participate in this program. It really wasn't a hard decision. Hannah had made
such great gains with conductive education that we knew we couldn't deny her
more opportunities at CLCGC.
We are bold enough to hope and pray that Hannah will walk on her own some day and we believe conductive education is giving her that chance.