MY INSPIRATION
Eliana’s story
Eliana’s joy and laughter lives on within the walls of Extraordinary Kids Therapy and in the clouds above us as we play, learn, and grow together. She was nothing short of extraordinary and is how our unique, heart-forward process came to be. Everything we do, every day we get to play, and every family we get to help is all in loving memory of her.
It was in June of 2019 when Eliana stole Ashley’s heart and their journey began. As a new-grad COTA, Ashley was so eager to work with this extraordinary little girl who lit up the room with her giggles and smile. Having never worked with a baby before, Ashley dove head first into learning how she could best help Eliana and her amazing family. Eliana was learning to crawl, walk, and walk… but she was also teaching all of us how to live the most extraordinary life no matter what life throws your way.
Eliana maneuvered her setbacks in life with grace, not reaching typical milestones but adapting to the life that God chose for her. Whether it be riding her adaptive Go Baby Go Jeep that Ashley and New England Institute of Technology provided for her, walking the grounds of Pequot health center with her gait trainer and dedicated physical therapist, saying “oh boy” when her and her patient speech therapist would look at her favorite pictures.
The strength, perseverance and resilience Eliana displayed daily assured us all that she was at peace with the path that God had given her. Eliana was blessed with any and every toy you could imagine but was completely content with her favorite sensory bubble toys and the simplest things in life. You can now find her toys and therapy equipment within the walls of Extraordinary Kids thanks to her incredibly generous family. When we play, we play for her.
Ashley’s experience with Eliana and her incredible parents, Christine and Rich, are how Extraordinary Kids Therapy came to be and why we do what we do. Through their journey together, Ashley learned that a family-centered, child-led, heart-forward approach is truly the only way it should be.
On July 22, 2022 Eliana Maria Palacio went to her eternal beach in her parents arms. 4 beautiful years on this earth and she changed the world.
Shortly after passing, she started to come to Ashley in the clouds, in the waves, and as butterflies and showed her that Extraordinary Kids needed to be founded and that more kids needed her help. You will find beautiful monarch butterflies hidden in each room at Extraordinary Kids to show that Eliana is always with us, laughing with us, and guiding the way.
Eliana was extraordinary. She lived an extraordinary life and made an extraordinary impact on everyone that knew her.
Eliana - this is for you. This is all for you.
We will forever hear your laugh in the waves and see your smile in the clouds our one and only Eliana.
Eternally by the Sea;
if you would like to follow Eliana’s beautiful life journey please find her Instagram page at @embracingEliana
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