Maria Cabello’s hopes for her daughter, Anais, faded when she learned that her baby was born with spina bifida, a birth defect that can lead to disabilities, including paralysis.
For years, Maria grieved the loss of those dreams and concentrated her efforts on simply getting through the day-to-day challenges.
Then this summer she decided it was time to accept the situation and look toward the future. She started searching online for activities for disabled children, found RISE Adaptive Sports and everything changed.
“That first time, when she was trying to water ski, I was freaking out,” Maria said. “I thought she’d cry and hate it. But she only wanted more. She was just smiling and waving. We were so thankful for that.”
The 6-year-old, whose name means “graceful,” has no feeling in her feet and very little feeling below the knees. She must use braces on both legs to walk and often uses a walker or wheelchair. But she’s always loved water.
“I had no idea she could do stuff like this. When I saw how natural it was for her, we loved watching her,” Maria said. “We found a sport for her, and the whole family really enjoys it.”
The family plans to get more involved in RISE, and they encourage others to give it a try.
RISE is a 7-year-old non-profit organization sponsored by Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation. Its mission is to help people with physical challenges “Recover, Inspire, Succeed and Empower” themselves and others by providing inclusive, adaptive recreational sports programs.
The group’s End of Summer Bash is set for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 21) at Meadowmere Park in Grapevine. It is free and open to people with disabilities and their families.
About Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation (BIR)
Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation (BIR) utilizes a team approach to patient care provided by a staff of 46 therapists and medical professionals licensed by the State of Texas, including physiatrists, neuropsychologists, speech therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers and case managers. The TBI designated treatment team, led by a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician who specializes in traumatic brain injury, consists of nurses and therapists with additional certification in rehabilitation nursing and neuro therapy. The team is certified by the American Academy for the Certification of Brain Injury Specialists, and holds other specialty certifications such as, Neuro-Integrative Functional Rehabilitation and Habilitation, Neuro-Developmental Treatment, Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing and Vestibular Rehabilitation Certifications. The TBI team treats more than 200 patients annually.
Contact:
Kristine Hughes
214-820-7556 (O)
Kristine.Hughes@baylorhealth.edu
About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White is empowering customers to live well by reimagining traditional healthcare — creating more convenient, personalized and informed experiences. It serves more than three million customers through 55 hospitals, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple; the Baylor Scott & White Research Institute; 1,300+ access points; 59,000+ team members; and its leading digital platform — MyBSWHealth. The system's award-winning employer solutions include Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and Levanto — a company offering digitally enabled health products. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White's mission is to promote the health and well-being of all individuals, families and communities. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com
