“Sofia never stops surprising us.” – Giulia, Sofia’s mom.
When six-year-old Sofia went to Disney World, she was on a mission: meet all the princesses, but one especially - Ariel, the Little Mermaid. Ariel has special appeal because of her aquatic abilities. Sofia loves to swim at Holland Bloorview pool. It’s when she feels most free. Sofia has cerebral palsy, which affects her mobility.
While having Breakfast at the Palace, Sofia kept her eye out for Ariel. She was successful in meeting the other princesses, but was worried she would miss her most favourite.
“When she saw the Little Mermaid, I couldn’t believe the expression on her face,” recalls Giulia, Sofia’s mom. “She was so in awe.”
Awe gave way to inquiry. Sofia is very inquisitive and quick to take charge. She peppered the princesses with many questions.
Sofia is one of the hardest working six-year-olds you will ever meet. She is working on her fine and gross motor skills through the Integrated Educational Therapy (IET) program, a partnership between Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and Bloorview School Authority.
The IET program offers students from Junior Kindergarten to grade one an innovative learning and therapeutic environment to maximize a child’s potential in communication, intellectual, physical, and social skills development. Each child is encouraged to develop a sense of independence and personal responsibility, and to advocate for themselves when they leave Holland Bloorview to attend a new school.
Sofia has taken big leaps through the IET program, and her confidence has really blossomed. For someone who began crawling when she was two years old, she now walks the length of the hallway with the aid of her walker and Ankle Foot Orthotics (AFOs).
When once she did not want to print, suddenly that’s all she wants to do, writing messages to her family and friends. She’s very determined and works hard during her occupational therapy sessions so she can write and type ‘I love you’ to those she cares about.
Sofia is now very social and makes friends easily. It wasn’t always this way. Her first few months at school were difficult for her, but the team at Holland Bloorview worked with Sofia and her parents to help her acclimatize to her new school and build lasting friendships.
Now Sofia has her sights on becoming a teacher just like her mom and the inspirational team at Bloorview School Authority. But that will have to wait. For now, she’ll continue to practice through role playing, something she loves to do, during her many play dates with friends from school.
