Hope Hoffman
My Everyday Hero is “Hope”…what an appropriate name.
Hope is my daughter’s occupational therapist. She has been for the last 2 years. When we first came to Hope, I was desperate. My daughter had just been released from another therapist, who informed me that my daughter’s left hand would probably remain weak. She had progressed as far as she could go and she probably would not be able to cut her food, button her pants, or tie her shoes.
I have to admit, I left that therapy center devastated. I could not believe that my daughter would never be able to do any of those things on her own. I also did not want to accept the answer of NO. So, I asked my daughter’s pediatrician what she thought. She told me to find another therapist. Now, we live in a relatively small town with not many choices. But, with luck on our side, a new therapy center had just opened up. This is where I first met Hope.
Hope is the occupational therapist at All Aboard Therapy. I explained to Hope what had been told to me regarding my daughter’s left hand and Hope said “we will work on it”. She never once said NO! She said we will incorporate her whole body and increase upper body strength as well as finger exercises. Hope taught my daughter to do finger exercises that she could do by herself. Somehow, Hope was able to motivate Kailee to do them by her self; without me asking or reminding her to practice. In no time at all, Kailee’s strength in her left hand had increased noticeably. I was amazed. In fact, at one point, I had Kailee shake my hand and had to think about which hand was actually her previously weak hand.
I am proud to say my daughter now wears jeans to school everyday, ties her shoes and cuts her food. While the cutting of her food is not perfect, she is capable and making progress.
I am grateful for Hope….grateful that she has never said no. I am grateful that she is always willing to help Kailee reach her goals and then go farther, whether it is computer skills or life skills. She is now helping Kailee learn to wash and brush her hair all by herself.
Thank you Hope, from the bottom of my heart, for helping my daughter reach her greatest potential and for giving me HOPE!
Submitted by
Chantai Snellgrove
Grateful & Proud Mother
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This post originally appeared on our November/December 2010 Magazine [21]