Transforming Moments

Shapre’s Story

A Typical Teenager

Like many teenagers, Shapre is easily distracted and can be hard to motivate—but she’s also happy, playful and wants to be fiercely independent. Knowing that Shapre likes predictability and rewards, Lucille, who’s been working with Shapre for four years, lets Shapre know what to expect during her therapy sessions. She incorporates therapy goals like reaching, walking and sitting into activities Shapre enjoys such as playing board games like Connect Four and video games like the Wii. Because Shapre also loves riding an adapted bicycle, which helps develop strength and motion in her legs, Lucille is trying to obtain a specialized bike for Shapre to use at home.

Lucille’s primary goal is the same as Shapre and Michelle’s: to give Shapre the muscle strength and coordination she needs to be as independent as possible. While her weekly physical therapy sessions incorporate some walking exercises, Lucille focuses on teaching Shapre to assist more with daily mobility needs like rolling over in bed, sitting unsupported, dressing, and transferring from her wheelchair to other surfaces with assistance from one rather than multiple caregivers. She works closely with Michelle, who Lucille said has been tremendously helpful in problem solving through motivational issues and helping Shapre develop a coping and communication strategy for when she gets frustrated during therapy.

“Every year Shapre gets new words,” said Michelle of her only child. And although Shapre does not use an assistive technology device to help her speak, she recently received a new computer with the help of the hospital’s Assistive Technology Program. Designed to make typing easier by spacing letters further apart on the keyboard, Shapre’s computer will help her with school work and communication.

Looking Ahead

As Shapre gets older, Dr. Monasterio hopes to see her improve her functional abilities and use her power wheelchair and assistive technology to be even more independent. He also wants to continue coordinating Shapre’s care with her school, either through Michelle, who works in the school system and has been handling this issue, or through the educational consultants with the Hospital Education Program. Shapre, a freshman at Henrico County’s Hermitage High School, is learning vocational skills and recently was a cheerleader for the school’s special needs basketball team.

Like all parents, Michelle wants to see Shapre succeed. She pushes her daughter to be independent, advocates for her educational needs and seeks out social opportunities like Henrico County Parks & Recreation teen programs and Victory Junction Gang Camp, a camp for children with chronic or serious medical conditions where Shapre and Michelle recently spent two weekends. Because Shapre enjoyed the weekend’s arts and crafts programs and likes swimming and being outdoors, Michelle hopes her daughter will be able to participate in a five-day program at the North Carolina camp this summer.

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