Lily's ABM Therapy
Donation protected
On September 23rd, 2013, parents Daniel & Nessa, and big brother Noah, welcomed my goddaughter Lily into the world. She was from all appearances a healthy little girl--she developed normally, and passed her 6-month checkup with flying colours!
Only at 10 months did it become obvious that something was not right...
She stopped reaching her milestones. Her motor skills and communication skills had plateaued. She could not even sit up, unsupported. She did not babble, imitate, or make gestures. In short, she did not eat, move, or communicate anywhere close to an age-appropriate level. Also, Lily was exclusively breastfed, rejecting the bottle, and afraid even to touch solid food.
Growing increasingly worried, her parents pursued hearing tests, and followed referrals to feeding and developmental specialists. Indeed, the neurologist confirmed that something was not right with Lily--and that nothing about her development was certain. Suddenly, the possible trajectories of Lily's future looked a whole lot different from what parents typically hope and dream for their children.
Daniel and Nessa were overcome with grief and anguish for all that would never be. Adjusting to the "new reality", and remaining hopeful, they did everything they could. Over the next months, Lily saw myriad neurologists and specialists...
There was nothing unusual in the results of hearing tests and eye examinations; there was nothing unusual in the results from the EEG, MRI, and genetic test. No clear diagnosis was given, yet Lily continued to fall further and further behind the normal milestones for her age. Finally, after multiple assessments, she was diagnosed with "developmental delay" and "peripheral autistic characteristics."
All attempts at a plethora of various therapies were unsuccessful. Lily received Feeding, Physical, and Occupational Therapy; she simply cried and refused to participate. Her normal mode was simply to lie on her back, motionless--as if she was not aware that movement was even possible.
Finally, when Lily was 18 months old, there came a ray of hope. Nessa discovered ABM (The Anat Baniel Method) and took Lily to the only practitioner in Belgium. Within only 10 days, Lily made more progress than after seven months of daily traidional therapy! Lily began exploring other positions (sitting and crawling positions), and amazingly, pulled herself to standing for the first time! Within a month, she was crawling and cruising, and to everyone's huge relief, Lily began to eat!
ABM has given Daniel and Nessa hope, and has opened up possibilities for their daughter. Lily's progress continues to positively surprise her doctors. Even her Autism diagnosis has now gone from severe, to moderate; and her sensory aversions are gone. At age three-and-a-half, Lily is now walking and climbing; imitating and using imaginative play; babbling and chattering, and communicating with sounds and gestures.
But even with these signs of progress, there is a long way to go. ABM offers hope for much further progress, but it comes at a cost: Sessions cost about 1000 euro/month, and are not covered by insurance.
After careful consideration, Nessa has decided to take the training to become an ABM practitioner. She is determined to give her daughter, and other children in need, the best possible quality of life. She is passionate about the method and grateful to have discovered a new career path that can create new possibilities for many other children and their families.
After a year of personally funding Lily’s therapy and covering the costs of tuition, and Nessa’s travels to the Unites States for ABM practitioner training, Daniel and Nessa have run out of funds. They need help to continue financing Lily’s ABM lessons until March 2018, at which point Nessa's ABM knowledge and skills allow her to help Lily, and other children.
To reach her fullest potential Lily continues to need ABM lessons. All money raised will be used for Lily’s ABM lessons and directly support Lily’s continuing progress.
Please follow this link to find out more about Lily's journey and the Anat Baniel Method.
Only at 10 months did it become obvious that something was not right...
She stopped reaching her milestones. Her motor skills and communication skills had plateaued. She could not even sit up, unsupported. She did not babble, imitate, or make gestures. In short, she did not eat, move, or communicate anywhere close to an age-appropriate level. Also, Lily was exclusively breastfed, rejecting the bottle, and afraid even to touch solid food.
Growing increasingly worried, her parents pursued hearing tests, and followed referrals to feeding and developmental specialists. Indeed, the neurologist confirmed that something was not right with Lily--and that nothing about her development was certain. Suddenly, the possible trajectories of Lily's future looked a whole lot different from what parents typically hope and dream for their children.
Daniel and Nessa were overcome with grief and anguish for all that would never be. Adjusting to the "new reality", and remaining hopeful, they did everything they could. Over the next months, Lily saw myriad neurologists and specialists...
There was nothing unusual in the results of hearing tests and eye examinations; there was nothing unusual in the results from the EEG, MRI, and genetic test. No clear diagnosis was given, yet Lily continued to fall further and further behind the normal milestones for her age. Finally, after multiple assessments, she was diagnosed with "developmental delay" and "peripheral autistic characteristics."
All attempts at a plethora of various therapies were unsuccessful. Lily received Feeding, Physical, and Occupational Therapy; she simply cried and refused to participate. Her normal mode was simply to lie on her back, motionless--as if she was not aware that movement was even possible.
Finally, when Lily was 18 months old, there came a ray of hope. Nessa discovered ABM (The Anat Baniel Method) and took Lily to the only practitioner in Belgium. Within only 10 days, Lily made more progress than after seven months of daily traidional therapy! Lily began exploring other positions (sitting and crawling positions), and amazingly, pulled herself to standing for the first time! Within a month, she was crawling and cruising, and to everyone's huge relief, Lily began to eat!
ABM has given Daniel and Nessa hope, and has opened up possibilities for their daughter. Lily's progress continues to positively surprise her doctors. Even her Autism diagnosis has now gone from severe, to moderate; and her sensory aversions are gone. At age three-and-a-half, Lily is now walking and climbing; imitating and using imaginative play; babbling and chattering, and communicating with sounds and gestures.
But even with these signs of progress, there is a long way to go. ABM offers hope for much further progress, but it comes at a cost: Sessions cost about 1000 euro/month, and are not covered by insurance.
After careful consideration, Nessa has decided to take the training to become an ABM practitioner. She is determined to give her daughter, and other children in need, the best possible quality of life. She is passionate about the method and grateful to have discovered a new career path that can create new possibilities for many other children and their families.
After a year of personally funding Lily’s therapy and covering the costs of tuition, and Nessa’s travels to the Unites States for ABM practitioner training, Daniel and Nessa have run out of funds. They need help to continue financing Lily’s ABM lessons until March 2018, at which point Nessa's ABM knowledge and skills allow her to help Lily, and other children.
To reach her fullest potential Lily continues to need ABM lessons. All money raised will be used for Lily’s ABM lessons and directly support Lily’s continuing progress.
Please follow this link to find out more about Lily's journey and the Anat Baniel Method.
Organizer
Ian MacBeath
Organizer
Antwerp
