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Meet Elianna
Like most little girls, Elianna Stanners, 4, dreams of being a ballerina.
Her parents, Debbie Duquette and Russell Stanners of Huntsville, are excited that Elianna now has the opportunity to realize that dream, despite her cerebral palsy.
“She loves the idea of ballet. She loves music and playing dress-up,” Debbie explained. “So she loves the Dance Your Dreams! program at Merrimack, which we learned about through UCP.”
Dance Your Dreams! is a weekly dance program at Merrimack Hall that provides dance education to children who cannot participate in mainstream dance education due to physical, mental or emotional disabilities.
Elianna is one of 12 students in the inaugural class, of which all but four students are wheelchair-bound and most have multiple diagnoses, including cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, language delays and learning disabilities.
This program was specially designed by Merrimack Hall’s dance faculty in consult with physical therapists, including Elianna’s UCP physical therapist Andrea Batt. Dance attire and costuming for performances is provided to students at no cost, thanks in part to a grant by the Jane K. Lowe Charitable Foundation.
Elianna’s first performance is Jan. 9, 2009, at Merrimack Hall’s 2nd annual Evening of Dance.
“We’re very excited for her,” Russell said with a smile.
Elianna began receiving occupational and physical therapies through UCP’s Early Intervention (EI) program when she was just six-months-old.
“The director of the daycare Elianna attended encouraged us to schedule an evaluation to assess possible motor skills delays,” Debbie recalled. “Our main concern then was that Elianna’s eyes were still crossing at times, which the pediatrician said should stop and wasn’t a concern. But the daycare director said it wouldn’t hurt to have the assessment. Without it, I don’t know that Elianna would have entered the EI program.”
Elianna’s assessment revealed delayed motor skills, increased muscle tone and the need for glasses. On the recommendation of a local pediatric ophthalmologist, Elianna underwent an eye muscle surgery at Children Hospital in Birmingham at age one. After seeing a neurologist and other specialists, a CT and MRI were conducted and revealed static encephalopathy, a non progressive brain damage.
Subsequent assessments resulted in Elianna’s diagnosis of cerebral palsy when she was two-and-a-half-years-old. She has since progressed from using a Gait trainer and walker to now using canes for mobility. She currently receives physical therapy through UCP’s outpatient program.
Debbie said that much of Elianna’s mobility equipment has been obtained through UCP’s SHARE (Special Help with Adaptive Resources & Equipment) program. The program allows UCP to assess, demonstrate and loan durable medical and mobility equipment to clients.
“That’s big because most people don’t realize how expensive this equipment is,” Debbie explained. “It would be a big deal if we had to buy all of it, so this is very helpful.”
Russell brings Elianna to her UCP appointments every other week, which she sometimes dreads because of the hard work involved in her therapy. But Russell said that Elianna has grown to accept and actually enjoys some of the activities.
“Miss Andrea plays with me. She helps me do all things like my friends,” Elianna said. “But I don’t like doing the hurty stretches.”
Elianna loves babies, baby dolls, princesses, watching Scooby Doo and Winnie the Pooh cartoons, going to the zoo, panda bears, and her dog and three cats. Her music interests include Elvis, Aerosmith, Dan Zanes, and musicians at the Lowe Mill.
“As she gets older, Elianna is more aware of her physical limitations, the differences, and the impact they have on her,” Debbie explained. “Still, she is pretty active, content and independent.”
Elianna, who will celebrate her fifth birthday in January, attends a special education pre-school program at Chapman Elementary School. She is a huge fan of local sports, including the Huntsville Havoc, Huntsville Stars and the Dixie Derby Girls. Elianna and her family also regularly attend UCP events, including “An Irish Evening,” the Taste of Huntsville, and the annual UCP Family Christmas Party.
“Elianna is very social,” Debbie said. “She likes people and speaks to everyone. She even captures a few hearts when we’re out and about in the community.”
Debbie and Russell agreed that they would definitely recommend UCP services to other families.
“Our experience with UCP has been great,” Russell said. “Mark is great to remind us of our appointments, Heather is great with whatever we need, and everyone is just really nice.”
To learn more about Merrimack Halls Dance Your Dreams! program, visit Merrimack Hall online.
To learn more about the SHARE program, visit SHARE at UCP online, email therapy@ucphuntsville.org, or call UCP Outpatient Coordinator Annie Iverson at 852-5600.
To learn more about UCP programs and services, please call 852-5600. To make a donation, please use the Google Checkout Donate Now button on this page. All donations are tax-deductible.
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