Finnley is a happy, smiley six-year-old who has been a client at The Shea Center for the past ten months. She especially loves riding Pixie—coincidentally sharing the same name as her kitty at home.
Finnley experienced a traumatic birth that resulted in a lack of oxygen and blood flow to her brain. At 18 months old, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy (hemiparesis), affecting the left side of her body. She experiences weakness and tightness in her left arm and leg and wears a brace to help keep her left foot flat rather than walking on her tiptoes. While surgery could help correct her foot positioning, Finnley’s parents are currently focused on conservative care through physical therapy. This includes hippotherapy, stretching sessions in the gym alongside The Shea Center’s facility dog, Tex, and chiropractic exercises aimed at preventing scoliosis.
Finnley’s physical therapist, Matt Mitchell, DPT, shares, “Finnley has shown great improvement in her balance by standing in her stirrups with improved symmetrical weight-bearing through both feet. This translates functionally, as she now walks more evenly with better balance and coordination.”
Despite her challenges, Finnley is an active and adventurous first grader who loves playing, swimming, and spending time with her family and friends. She proudly shares stories of her horseback riding experiences with everyone she knows.
Over the past ten months, Finnley’s parents have seen remarkable progress in her overall strength and comfort, including improved balance, mobility, and increased core and leg strength. Her father, David, says, “Finnley is incredibly proud of her accomplishments, especially being able to stand in the stirrups. Her self-confidence has grown tremendously. She’s fearless, task-driven, and always wants to help and do good. Finnley doesn’t allow cerebral palsy define her.”
Finnley’s mother, Kelly, adds, “The Shea Center is an amazing place, it’s truly an honor to be here.” Kelly’s connection to The Shea Center spans many years, beginning when she volunteered at the Center during middle school and high school as part of the National Charity League.
