We are delighted to share a heartwarming story about Julia, who has been on an incredible journey of healing and self-discovery with the help of AWARE's therapeutic recreation services.
A few weeks ago, Julia had a remarkable experience that marked a turning point in her life. She visited Warm Springs Creek, where she dipped her feet into the mountain water for the very first time. With the assistance of our dedicated team and her unwavering determination, she was able to walk in and out of the water independently — a significant achievement she had been working toward for some time.
Julia has been a part of the AWARE therapeutic recreation services family since April, and her story is one of resilience and transformation. Prior to joining our program, she had been grappling with the weight of grief following the loss of her beloved mother and brother. These experiences compelled her to refocus on her own well-being.
In her pursuit of improved health, Julia actively participates in physical therapy to strengthen her arms and upper body. She also engages in regular walks to enhance leg and foot mobility. Her incredible drive and goal-oriented mindset have been instrumental in her progress.
Julia's dedicated therapeutic recreation services technician, Rob, has been by her side throughout this journey. They meet weekly at Nine Mile Park, and in inclement weather, they adapt by meeting at the Butte Plaza Mall or Butte Civic Center for short walks and conversation. Rob, with over 15 years of experience, truly appreciates Julia's determination to bring about positive change in her life.
Although Julia faces diabetic nerve pain in her feet and relies on a walker at the moment, she has refused to let these challenges define her. The emotional burden of her loss once kept her confined to her house, but today, she is taking steps — both literally and figuratively — to regain her independence.
For a bit of fun, Julia has taken to waving at people from the sidewalk in front of her home. The simple act of sharing smiles with others fills her heart with joy, and she cherishes the moments when those smiles are returned.
Julia's long-term goal is as inspiring as her journey so far: she aims to gradually reduce her reliance on oxygen and her walker. Her renewed mobility is the first crucial step toward achieving this goal.
Beyond her physical achievements, Julia is eager to reignite her passion for art. She is an artist who specializes in abstract creations. Her unique talent involves carefully burning pieces of wood until intricate designs emerge. Julia also enjoys expressing herself through watercolors and pencil drawings, and she looks forward to creating new masterpieces on canvas.
Julia's story is a testament to the power of resilience, determination and the support of AWARE's therapeutic recreation services. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments and are excited to witness her continued growth and creativity.
Therapeutic recreation is a program that focuses on the lifestyles of the people AWARE serves. Each person taking part in this program has the opportunity to look at their personal goals and aspirations to determine their ideal life worth living.
In a cooperative effort, program participants and their circle of support work to create a personalized plan of care to include preferred experiences and interventions that are experiential or recreative in nature. To learn more about therapeutic recreation, please click here.