(WSVN) – A gunshot left a South Florida faculty pupil paralyzed, however she is working laborious to get the possibility to stroll once more, and a furry pal helps her. Heather Walker shares her story in tonight’s 7Spotlight.
Spending time within the pool feels like an ideal day in South Florida.
For 25-year-old Natasha Vivas, stepping into the water is difficult work.
Natasha Vivas, remedy affected person: “It’s been so extraordinarily laborious, and it’s nonetheless so extraordinarily laborious in so many various circumstances, and it’s laborious on my mother and father.”
7News shared Natasha’s story two years in the past.
She was learning hospitality at FIU and had been supplied a paid internship program at Disney World. Then, on Dec. 13, 2022, whereas working at an Orlando resort, her nightmare started.
Natasha Vivas: “The particular person walked in, and he requested to make use of the restroom, and naturally, I used to be like, ‘Oh, just like the restroom is over right here.’ He got here again in with a rifle, and he began capturing.”
Docs stated she had a 20% likelihood of survival.
Natasha Vivas: “And so they had been like, ‘OK, she’s by no means gonna stroll once more.’”
Natasha was decided to show them unsuitable.
Natasha Vivas: “And my life has been devoted to remedy, remedy, remedy, extra remedy, remedy, remedy, remedy.”
A couple of months in the past, Natasha began aquatic remedy at Memorial Rehabilitation Institute in Pembroke Pines.
She will get within the pool twice every week, and it’s made an enormous distinction in her life.
Dmitriy Ferrer, bodily therapist assistant: “And the Natasha that you just’re seeing proper now just isn’t the identical that got here to the pool, by far.”
Within the pool, it’s simpler for Natasha to face, transfer her legs and apply strolling.
Dmitriy Ferrer: “At first, we just about needed to do all of it for her. So we needed to seize her leg, transfer it up and down. Finally, she began gaining a bit of little bit of muscle energy.”
The therapists are top-notch, however for Natasha, her greatest coach is Scrunchie.
Natasha Vivas: “Scrunchie is so superb to work with. Canines are simply unimaginable creatures that they like know the way you’re feeling, and so they know learn how to provide you with assist.”
Scrunchie the golden retriever is considered one of seven remedy canines at Memorial Healthcare System. She was educated to carry out dozens of instructions.
Maria Weinstein, Director of Nursing, Memorial Hospital West: “She helps our sufferers with grip and motor energy. She encourages them, so that they pull, they push, and greater than something, she places a smile on their face.”
When Scrunchie’s not within the water, she circles the pool. She’s not simply taking part in round, she’s really motivating her sufferers to maintain shifting.
Maria Weinstein, Director of Nursing, Memorial Hospital West: “Natasha tries to achieve for her. She’s not realizing it, however she’s additionally taking a step up within the pool, which once more helps her with motor energy. That helps her with steadiness.”
A couple of weeks in the past, Scrunchie’s help helped Natasha stroll for the primary time in two years.
Natasha Vivas: “After which, like, my mother and father began recording it, after which my mother and father began crying.”
An emotional second for the entire household. For the primary time since being shot, Natasha believes she has a second likelihood.
Natasha Vivas: “And it was that, like, pillar of hope of like, ‘OK, like I can nonetheless hold doing this.’ Like that is the place it’s going to get even more durable to maintain on pushing myself, to maintain on rising, to maintain on being higher.”
Thanks to assist from her therapist and Scrunchie, she is taking an enormous step ahead on the street to restoration.
Heather Walker, 7News.
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