Client Story: @AlongsideAna

“Ana has been surviving cancer for 12 years.  Most pediatric cancer parents can attest, the battle is accompanied with numerous short- and long-term side effects that dramatically impact the quality of life.  During and following surgeries and treatments, Ana experienced decreased strength, balance, coordination, and fine motor abilities, as well as weakness and fatigue, pain, drug-induced peripheral neuropathy, foot drop, and executive dysfunction.

Being an Occupational Therapist myself, and a mother to Ana, I wear two hats.  It was helpful to have my professional background, but sometimes I needed to “just be mom.”  Few practitioners have experience and/or advanced education in the specialty of pediatric oncology.  We often found ourselves dismissed because the challenges were unique, hard to identify, and/or required a non-traditional approach.

Finding therapists who could settle in, get to know Ana, and help her navigate around challenges is a gift.  We are grateful to not have to carry this alone and continue to appreciate life is #BetterTogether.  The team at ExercisABILITIES came @AlongsideAna to encourage, teach, motivate, and facilitate recovery.  Ana worked extremely hard, and her therapists made the journey engaging and fun.  With their help, she’s gained strength, balance, confidence, independence, and pride.”

—Heather vanKoeverden, Ana’s mother