Hope and Triumph - Sofia's Journey With Rehab Pilates

In 2016, I received a call from two parents that were in need of rehab Pilates for their daughter, Sofia. Viva Life had been recommended to them. During that first phone call, as we discussed Sofia’s needs, I instantly wanted to help. I could hear the dedication in their voices to do all they could for their baby girl.

The Girl With The Biggest Smile

At our first session, four years ago now,  I was greeted by this sweet young girl, Sofia, who had the biggest smile. She entered the studio on crutches, struggling to walk. We sat down and got to know each other. As Sof described her journey to me, I was blown away and teary. Sofia was only 13 years old and yet, she had already endured so much.  

Diagnosed with double curvature of the spine, as Sofia grew, the severity of the curvature started to impact her body’s wellbeing. The decision was made to operate. But after a lengthy surgery, she woke to find she couldn’t feel her legs. Following complications during surgery, she was paralysed and told she may never walk again.

I met Sofia in 2016 - exactly a year after her surgery - and amazingly, she had already proven the doctors wrong about never walking again. With fierce determination and the wonderful guidance of her Royal Children’s Hospital physio, Kim, Sofia was able to walk with the aid of crutches. But the road ahead was still long. Sofia dreamed of running again. And one day, to surf.

Rehab Pilates Begins

So that was the beginning for our journey together. Four days a week, we would see Sofia in the studio. We covered every muscle that needed strengthening. We focused on helping rewire her brain and body’s connections, and worked to visualise her movements. And most importantly, I wanted to make it a fun journey for this beautiful, courageous girl. 

Of course, the road ahead was anything but easy. Some days we would just walk and talk. We’d work on mindset. Time and again, Sofia blew me away with her dedication. It’s a rare quality for a teenager to be so positive and determined. We shared so many laughs and beautiful moments. With every session, we both walked away happier. I would think to myself, “There truly is something special about this smiley girl.”

I learnt so much along the way with Sof, and had the privilege of attending her rehab sessions within the Royal Children’s Hospital. We worked together with her physiotherapists to make sure we were all on the same page, and would note her progress and successes.

Within months, we had Sofia off the crutches, walking up stairs, and we even started jumping and then jogging. With every new movement that she achieved, we would feel pure joy! And I still feel that way today.

This smiley girl became my true inspiration and I now proudly call her family. 

An Anniversary To Remember 

Today marks Sofia’s 5 year anniversary since the surgery that changed her life. 

Today also marks the 4 year anniversary of an amazing friendship between Sofia and I.

Today is a day to remember the inspiring journey this now 17-year-old young lady has taken. And to take time to look back at how far she has come!

Sofia, thank you! Thank you for choosing me and the team at Viva Life. You truly light me up with your determination and your strength to carry on even when your body tries to take you down. You didn’t just survive, girlfriend. You THRIVED in a life you didn’t see coming. You have turned a nightmare into a dream. And through your courage, you have given other young spinal injury kids HOPE & INSPIRATION. That, my friend, is something magical. 

So I will continue to look forward to training together, and even though 2020 has shaken you up and tried to get in the way of your goals, you know you will get through this, too. 

Sofia’s next dream is to travel to America when she finishes her VCE and to enrol in a program that helps people with spinal injuries from all around the world. She has asked me to take this journey with her and I couldn’t be more honoured. So to help her get a ticket there, we want to raise funds to make her dream come true. As soon as humanly possible, we will be holding an amazing fundraiser. The Viva fam will get you to the States for this program, Sof! 

I promise to always be there for you. You’ve got this, Sof.  

Much love, your trainer & your friend, Karen xx

A Note From Sofia’s Parents

Five years ago today, our daughter Sofia walked into the Cabrini Hospital for what was to have been a “straightforward’ scoliosis operation. The operation was required in order to fix a substantial double curvature of her spine.

As it happened, the operation or something post-operation did not go to plan. After a long 14 hour operation in which she lost considerable blood, Sofia showed small signs of normal recovery, however, this was short-lived. Her recovery stopped in the first 48 hours and she underwent a second 12 hour surgery in an attempt to find the cause of the issue. During this time, her rods were loosened in the hope that this would resolve the lack of recovery.
It didn’t work. Sofia could not move her legs. She was paralysed from the waist down.

Sofia was transferred from the Cabrini to The Alfred trauma unit, and later, to the Royal Children’s (rehabilitation team) in August 2015. From the outset, throughout our stay and up until October, we were advised that although Sofia might  recover somewhat, the likelihood was that she would not walk again. We were devastated…and so was she…but she remained strong.

During the months of hospitalisation and despite the constant negative advice from doctors,  we never gave up hope, not once, not for us and especially not for Sofia.  But we did get continual hope and love from the wonderful rehab staff, especially her physiotherapist Kim at the RCH. To a degree, it was these small rays of sunshine provided by the rehab team that helped us to remain hopeful for our daughter to walk again…even if it was with crutches, even if it was little steps around the house! To the credit of this team, they kept telling us not to give up, we will get her walking again - even if in their hearts and experience this was only a remote possibility.

Through the feelings of loss, anger and despair during the many weeks and months in hospital, there were also beautiful friends and family members who kept willing us along and provided us with support and love.

But there was one thing, that one thing, that simply surpassed everything and created a miracle. This was the strength and will to walk that came from within Sofia. Despite the pain, the sadness , the fear and insecurity of the future, she simply never gave up. Moreover, the person suffering was destined to give the rest of us the hope and strength to fight against the odds and to walk again.

And the miracle happened. On October 10th, Sofia took a step, a step with the support of physiotherapist Kim. A step built from courage and an unending internal drive to defy her destiny.

Sofia walked out of hospital on December  21, 2015. She walked out of hospital with a spinal cord injury and all of the consequences of this affliction, but she walked out, when no one thought she would, and she walked out without aids.

From hospital, Sofia returned home and started a new beginning. A life, in large part, now dedicated to her own recovery. This part of her life journey had - and still has - its challenges. But again, due to her own inner strength and desire to not be a victim, she found the energy to start a substantial regime of rehabilitation.

Since returning home, Sofia has been blessed to have the continual support and expertise of a number of rehab ‘specialists’ who have not only shared and worked with her technically, but also emotionally and spiritually. Firstly, the support of the RCH rehab team has been amazing and consistent. They have been full of drive and constant  positive support and a ‘never say never’ attitude with Sofia.

Sofia’s rehab pathway also brought her together with Karen Andrea.

Karen is the owner and principal trainer at Viva Life Pilates. We don’t know what we would have done without Karen's ongoing support, physically, emotionally and spiritually for Sofia.

Although Karen had little experience dealing with people with spinal cord injuries,  she dedicated immeasurable time and learning to better understand how the power of Pilates could be of benefit to Sofia’s recovery. Karen developed individualised programs to suit Sofia’s injury and commenced a four year journey with her in parallel with the RCH’s rehab program.

Sofia's journey with Karen has been nothing short of miraculous and Sofia’s progress has been beyond the wildest expectations of the experts who said she would never walk again. We can't thank you enough Karen & The Viva Life team for continuing to offer Sofia hope, support and guidance. 

The journey and undeniable improvement in Sofia has come from her own internal fortitude. But you have been such a big part of Sofia’s journey and we admire the commitment you have shown our daughter. 

Karen, you have been a true blessing. You have been the person who has helped, encouraged and given faith to her constantly over the last four years. You have been relentless in your work with Sofia. Her recovery is a miracle. God has worked through your hands.

Love you always and forever grateful, Sera and Adrian.