Update on a Conductive Education® Star - Lilly SonnenfeldNovember 2011
A lot has happened since we last featured Lilly Sonnenfeld, who uses March of Dimes’ Conductive Education program.
When Daniela and Oliver Sonnenfeld were given the news that their little girl Lillly had cerebral palsy, it was devastating. They were full of questions for Lilly’s future, would she walk, lead a happy and fulfilled life, achieve her dreams?
Lilly is a bright, beautiful and playful little girl, the apple of her parent’s eye. But she was over two and half years old, and had yet to take her first step. Daniela was going through letters at her work when she saw one about March of Dimes’ Conductive Education® (CE) program. It was a letter that would change her and Lilly’s life.
Lilly now takes CE five days a week and is continuing to make amazing progress.
This past summer the family moved to Brooklin, Ontario and Lilly started a new daycare that she absolutely loves.
About two months ago she started using a walker in daycare and at home which gave her a huge amount of independence and self esteem and everybody was very supportive of her using it.
She’s now almost 3 ½ and according to her mom Daniela, ‘she realizes that it’s so nice to be able to be independent from mommy and daddy’.
The hard work that she’s putting in with Conductive Education have finally paid out the last week of October, when she decided to just let go of her walker and walk on her own! What a success!!! Her mother received a call from daycare saying that Lilly had been walking independently all day long and is so proud of showing off her new skill. She can now walk longer distances and is so happy to be doing the same as her peers. Of course everybody cheers for her and that gives her a lot of pride and motivation.
"We are over the moon with her improvement and know that none of this would have been possible without CE," says Daniela.
"I’m sending you a picture of her and a movie of her walking so you can see with your own eyes," says Daniela with a smile.
2010
When Daniela and Oliver Sonnenfeld were given the news that their little girl Lillly has cerebral palsy, it was devastating. They were full of questions for Lilly’s future, would she walk, lead a happy and fulfilled life, achieve her dreams?
Lilly is a bright, beautiful and playful little girl, the apple of her parent’s eye. But she was over two and half years old, and had yet to take her first step. Daniela was going through letters at her work when she saw one about March of Dimes’ Conductive Education® (CE) program. It was a letter that would change her and Lilly’s life.
CE uses the principles of neuroplasticity, combining elements of rehabilitation and education to help children and adults with neuro-motor disabilities improve mobility and self-confidence. CE operates on the belief that anybody can learn and improve when they are motivated.
Daniela and Oliver came to an information session about CE and learned about the new Early Intervention Program for pre-school aged children. They hoped March of Dimes could help Lilly overcome some of the day-to-day challenges she faces as a result of her cerebral palsy.
Within only three days of beginning the Conductive Education program, Lilly took her first six steps. On day four, she took 30 steps on her own. Today, she can walk as many as 55 steps independently, and is continuing to improve.
Daniela is so proud of her daughter’s amazing strides.
"She definitely learned how to manage normal tasks like eating independently, sitting on a chair, counting, recognizing shapes and so much more...," she says.
Lilly takes CE five days a week and is continuing to make progress.
"I believe strongly that so many people with a neuro-motor physical disability have the potential to make tremendous strides in overcoming the challenges of their disability through Conductive Education®," says Mhairi Watson, Senior Conductor of the program. "Our long-term goal is to expand the CE program and make it available to everyone who can benefit from it."
Conductive Education® requires a tuition fee from participants despite March of Dimes Canada subsidizing three-quarters of the program costs. With your generous support, we can continue to offer this very important program.
