By the time Mackenzie turned four-and-a-half, she was grappling with a multitude of challenges caused by the cerebral palsy, with motor control and balance being the most significant obstacles. Everyday tasks that most children took for granted were monumental hurdles for Mackenzie. The Mahers, desperate to find a solution, listened intently as Mackenzie's therapists recommended adding vestibular stimulation therapy to her already jam packed daily therapy routine. They suggested activities like chair spins, log rolls, and somersaults, all designed to stimulate and improve her balance and motor function.
With unwavering dedication, the Mahers turned their living room and dining room into therapy rooms, believing that each therapy activity and every roll and spin was a step closer to giving Mackenzie the chance she deserved. Every day, they worked tirelessly, their love and hope never faltering. What began as a small spark of belief soon ignited into a tireless pursuit of progress, as they refused to let the prognosis define their daughter's future.
In theory, vestibular stimulation therapy made perfect sense: to improve balance and motor control, you need to engage in activities that stimulate and challenge the vestibular system. But for Mackenzie, cerebral palsy had made even basic movements difficult, rendering her unable to perform the exercises on her own. As a result, the Mahers were forced to get creative, trying to provide the necessary motion-induced stimulation themselves. They worked tirelessly, tumbling and rolling Mackenzie on the floor for weeks—each session leaving them physically drained. But despite their relentless efforts, the therapy had to be discontinued. It wasn’t just hard; it was unsustainable.
