Took my daughter who is deafblind to Melissa yesterday. My daughter has been suffering with severe pain and nerve issues in her right leg for 18 months, plus has a shoulder injury which made her right arm and hand limp. We were forced to make the heartbreaking decision to place her in a wheelchair. My brave little girl who used to walk, run, jump on the trampoline, swim, and ride horses was now confined to a chair. Her depression continued to grow. It has been months since I've seen her smile.
I was nervous as I wheeled my daughter to the door. I have taken her to so many different doctors and therapists who have brushed us aside and not wanted to work with my daughter. As soon as I arrived, Melissa's assistant greeted us and offered tons of assistance to get us settled and make us comfortable. Then Melissa walked in with a huge smile and offered us treats and helped us get settled in the treatment room. This was super nice considering we were about 30 minutes early.
In the treatment room, my daughter was quivering with fear as she always does at appointments because she doesn't know what is about to happen and she associates doctor's offices with pain. Strangely, she became completely relaxed within 10 minutes.
Melissa patiently and compassionately listened as I explained my daughter's complicated medical history. She decided to forgo the needles on this visit and use only her hands. I wasn't sure what to expect but was happy to see my daughter so relaxed and enjoying the treatment. She eventually fell asleep.
When I woke her up after the treatment, she sat up, stretched both her arms out, and gave me a tight hug. My heart caught in my throat because she was unable to reach out like that before the appointment. I felt like she was thanking me for finding Melissa.
When we got home, she fell asleep again. I was so happy to see her sleeping peacefully and not stirring due to pain. That evening I noticed her moving her fingers. I couldn't believe how much motion she has gained from one appointment. I knew that if we saw any improvement in her legs it would take months, possibly years, because the injury was so old. I was wrong!
She got out of her wheelchair and started walking! In the past, when she tried to walk she would tighten her knee and use it almost like a cane. She was unable to bend her knee or bring her foot up. After one appointment with Melissa, she was moving her leg and foot normally. Our whole family was cheering and crying, I felt like I was in a dream and so afraid I would wake up.
Luckily, it isn't a dream. While she still has major issues to work out with her ankle, I know we are on the right path. And even better, my daughter knows we are on the right path, you can tell by her beautiful SMILE! Thank you Melissa for giving my daughter back her smile. read more