August 26, 2016
After some determined rehabilitation got her back on her feet, seven-year-old Isla Semashkewich is today a spirited, happy little girl. After being left weak and paralyzed for months last year by Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Isla regained her mobility in the newly redesigned playground at Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, a project made possible by the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation and its partners.
Story by Kerri Robins; photo courtesy Shelly Willsey
EDMONTON — For seven-year-old Isla Semashkewich, the $880,000 raised to redesign the playground and courtyards at Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital is only a big number beyond her grasp. But playing in the new space has proven priceless for her — because it’s here she found hidden toy squirrels that helped put her back on her feet.
The day of June 17, 2015 started like any other for Isla — until she was rushed to Stollery Children’s Hospital complaining of “prickles” in her feet.
“It was mind-numbing how everything happened so quickly with Isla,” recalls her mother Leslie Semashkewich. “I couldn’t believe how one day our life was normal, and the next day things changed forever.”
Isla was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) — a rare disorder of the nervous system associated with muscle weakness, loss of reflexes, widespread numbness and paralysis.
She spent more than three months in the hospital — which included six weeks of complete paralysis.
“It was heart-wrenching watching our little girl lie so still after seeing her ride her bike, swim, run and dance,” adds the 35-year-old Edmontonian.
Isla left hospital in September and immediately started rehab at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, where she remained wheelchair-bound until December.
But thanks to some innovative redesign and upgrades that were underway at the hospital’s playground and courtyards, Isla was able to indulge in play that contributed to her recovery.
Isla’s therapist Amy Millar, a pediatric physiotherapist at the hospital, says she’s excited about the new spaces and family-friendly environment.
“Family-centred care and therapy through play for all ages are the goals of the redesigned spaces, and involving the whole family in patient therapy is crucial to get their loved one back to health,” says Millar.
“During our patients’ stay at the Glenrose, they have to engage in functional tasks that will help them return to their daily routines and community life. So being engaged in an enjoyable activity makes it easier to do it longer and numerous times.
“Our redesign accommodates a variety of functional levels promoting gross motor rehabilitation opportunities for children and adults including strengthening, balance, coordination and motor planning activities.”
The playground features:
There’s also a nature discovery table designed for people with physical or sensory disabilities that impact their mobility, hearing, vision or manipulation skills.
Officially reopened in May 2016, the redesigned spaces keep inclusivity and fun in mind — for all ages and families as well as caregivers.
Isla’s parents say it was tough watching her struggle to relearn how to crawl, sit, stand, walk and use her hands again.
Her father Tyler recalls: “We never thought we’d be celebrating her lifting her head at tummy time all over again.”
Research shows that play allows children to practise and master diverse skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, perseverance and interacting with people and objects in their environment. They also develop language, symbolic thinking, social and motor skills.
For the Semashkewich’s, the playground is “bar none” in Isla’s therapy.
“Isla couldn’t play in the old playground, because it didn’t accommodate her wheelchair,” says Leslie. “But the new playground is so interactive and wheelchair friendly.
“She loved searching for the hidden ‘squirrels’ — and it made her feel normal. (The environment) is so safe I could sit back and watch my daughter play without feeling like I had to hover over her.”
With two redesigned and enclosed courtyards, it’s also a safe space for inpatient mental health residents to enjoy the outdoors. One offers 333 square metres of area while the larger 1,783-square-metre space also boasts fitness equipment for patients ages 14 and up to enjoy a full physical workout.
As part of the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation Write the Future campaign, the spaces were upgraded and redesigned thanks to donations from: UNITE HERE Local 47, $600,000; Friends of Glenrose, $250,000; and the Alberta Recycling Management Authority Tire Recycling Program, $30,000.
Wendy Dugas, President and CEO of the foundation, says she’s happy to be helping people of all abilities have the opportunity to rehabilitate, grow and learn through outdoor play.
“We’re fortunate to have donors in the community that understand the importance of providing spaces that combine nature and play in rehabilitation routines,” she says. “The Glenrose is the only hospital in Edmonton with two playgrounds, and one of three in all of Alberta to house playgrounds.
“Our donors help us bring innovative and forward thinking to our patients that help ease people’s rehabilitation journey. This contributes to our goal of also helping to make rehabilitation more fun and engaging along the way in a family-friendly environment.”
As for Isla, well, she’s still chasing squirrels — but on her own two feet now since she parked her wheelchair.
Her mom Leslie adds: “The staff were pivotal in getting Isla back on her feet. They welcomed our entire family with open arms, and planned her rehab around her interests. They were Isla’s cheerleaders.”
For more information, please visit glenrosefoundation.com.
