Prior to her diagnosis, Emma was a normal 7-year-old girl who enjoyed playing with her siblings. Emma’s daily activities changed drastically when she was diagnosed with Pilocytic Astrocytoma, a rare cancerous tumor on the brain stem. The 8-year-old underwent a surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. The location of the tumor and the severity of the surgery resulted in challenges of learning how to eat, walk, and communicate again.
Through physical, occupational, speech and hippotherapy, Emma has defied the odds. Over the past two years, Emma has battled infections, the return of her tumor, a second surgery, and learning to navigate her pre-tumor life again. Her current therapy goals include working on balance and coordination, memory re-call, and visual tracking. Through therapy, Emma has been able to walk with assistance, learned to take conversational style notes, and has begun participating in taekwondo. Her therapists have especially enjoyed seeing Emma’s joy and confidence return. In her first session of taekwondo, Emma set a goal of breaking a board with a front snap kick. Although ambitious, Emma showed her strength once again. Her confidence soared as her therapy team witnessed Emma rediscover not only her outward ability, but also her internal strength.
“The MCRC therapists work to provide every possible resource and their relationships with their patients make a world of difference.” -Lara Bow, Emma’s Mom
