Mia's Story

Beyond Physiotherapy: Mia’s Journey to Appleby College

When Mia was born, doctors discovered she had cerebral palsy, which has never stopped Mia from reaching her full potential. Mia and her family started their journey at ErinoakKids when Mia was just 18 months old. She has been receiving physiotherapy and recreation therapy with ErinoakKids on and off for 11 years.

 
“We have seen her here at ErinoakKids since she was really little,” says her physiotherapist, Heather. “Throughout her whole life we have helped her with walking, jumping and running, starting at our range of motion clinic.”

Mia and her family have seen firsthand the ways ErinoakKids connects families with community partners. ErinoakKids has relationships with many recreational and educational programs within our catchment areas, and Appleby College, one of Canada’s most prestigious private schools, is one of them. For the past three years, Appleby College has teamed up with ErinoakKids to offer a full scholarship to one special client entering grade seven. So, when it came time to recommend someone for the fall of 2024, Mia’s physiotherapist knew just who to put forward. 

“When this came up, I knew exactly who I would refer,” says Heather. “She has a really sweet way of looking at the world and is really bright. Even since she was really little, she has been determined to help herself improve. She has always had a special little glow about her, and I am just so happy to see that other people are noticing it as well.”

Heather put the bright 11-year-old forward, but Mia took it from there. Although nervous, Mia passed her Appleby interview with flying colours. She was granted the scholarship just a few days later. Everyone in Mia’s circle was overjoyed, including one of her biggest fans, her grandma Diane. 

 
“We are just so happy she gets to experience this. She has been excited about this from the very beginning. The quality of the education is a plus, too,” says Diane. “It’s really a perfect fit. Mia has been through so much in the past few years, there is truly no one who deserves this more.”

Just three years ago, Mia lost her Mom. Mia now lives part time with her grandparents, and part time with her dad. Her grandparents have been very involved in her life from a young age, often taking her to her appointments at ErinoakKids. They are so grateful they get to have a hand in the next stage of her life.

“I see so much of my daughter in Mia. She is sharp like her, and almost a spitting image,” says Diane. “Her mom saw how much ErinoakKids changed Mia’s life. Her and I took Mia to all of her programs and appointments, and we were very on top of the take-home exercises. And now, ErinoakKids connecting us with Appleby was just incredible. Truly a dream come true for Mia. The school will be a great fit as has always got straight A’s and is truly such a smart young woman. She is wise beyond her years, and she is a total lady!”

 
Mia’s grandparents work hard every day to give Mia the best life possible. Mia’s Mom loved horses, and Mia, too, finds that they relax her. Her grandparents gifted her a horse and take her riding as often as they can, as they see how the horse calm Mia down and give her independence. 

Now, Mia is managing so well on her own, that her sessions at ErinoakKids have become less frequent. 

“I think our job is to have our clients outgrow us. It is to show them the possibilities of what they are capable of,” says Heather. “And in my case, my job is to show them there is a world of possibilities out there beyond just physiotherapy and ErinoakKids.”

Mia is so excited for her first day of school, and just knows she will thrive at Appleby College. Mia and her grandma Diane spent the summer getting her comfortable with her new leg braces, so she is prepared for the school year.

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