At HomePhysio By Nicola Ltd, we believe that rehabilitation is about more than physical milestones—it’s about empowering our patients to create cherished memories and achieve goals that truly matter to them. This holiday season, we’ve been inspired by the incredible progress of one of our patients, Tessa, whose journey has been nothing short of magical.
Tessa lives with Cerebral Palsy, a condition that affects her muscle control and coordination, making daily tasks and mobility a challenge. But Tessa is determined and full of festive spirit, and this year, she set herself an inspiring goal: to stand and decorate her Christmas tree.
A Journey of Determination
From the very beginning, Tessa’s goal gave her rehabilitation sessions a deeply personal and meaningful focus. Together, we worked on building the strength, control, and coordination she needed to stand and engage with her surroundings in new ways.
We started with standing practice, using our specialised standing harness to support her posture and balance. This allowed Tessa to strengthen her legs while feeling safe and confident. Gradually, standing practice progressed to stepping practice, where she worked on controlled forward, backward and side steps. These exercises not only improved her mobility but also her endurance and balance.
Building Strength and Functional Skills
To prepare for the physical demands of tree decorating, Tessa worked on exercises to improve her fine motor skills, coordination, and exercise tolerance. We focused on grasp-and-release activities to strengthen her grip and hand function, as well as reaching exercises to simulate placing ornaments on a tree.
As her skills developed, we introduced a felt and Velcro Christmas tree for her to decorate. This fun and interactive activity allowed Tessa to practice standing, reaching, and grasping in a festive and motivating way. Every step brought her closer to achieving her goal, and her excitement was infectious!
The Physical Benefits
Beyond the joy of standing and decorating her tree, Tessa’s achievement has brought significant physical benefits. The standing and stepping practice has helped improve her posture, muscle tone, bowel management and lower limb strength. Engaging in activities that require balance and coordination has also contributed to better motor control and endurance, supporting her overall mobility in the harness.
These gains will have a lasting impact on her daily life, making it easier for Tessa to participate in other activities she loves and enhancing her independence.
A Magical Moment
Finally, the big moment arrived: Tessa stood tall with the support of her harness, carefully placed decorations on her Christmas tree, and brought it to life with her personal touch. Her determination and hard work culminated in a magical achievement.
But the celebration didn’t stop there—once the tree was decorated, Tessa danced and “rocked around the Christmas tree,” radiating confidence and festive joy. It was a moment that none of us will forget and a testament to her incredible spirit.
Why Meaningful Goals Matter
Rehabilitation isn’t just about physical progress—it’s about creating opportunities for joy, connection, and cherished memories. For Tessa, standing to decorate her Christmas tree was more than a milestone; it was a way to embrace the holiday spirit and make a meaningful memory with her family.
At HomePhysio By Nicola Ltd, we are privileged to help patients like Tessa work toward their life experience goals. Her journey reminds us of the importance of making rehabilitation personal, meaningful, and fun.
Looking Forward
As we continue into the festive season, we’re reminded that the heart of rehabilitation lies in supporting our patients to achieve the goals that matter most to them. Whether it’s standing to decorate a tree, taking steps toward a family gathering, or rediscovering the joy of movement, we are here to help every step of the way.
From all of us at HomePhysio By Nicola Ltd, we wish you a season filled with love, laughter, and the magic of meaningful achievements.
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