I am the mother of a 9-year-old girl named Breanna. Breanna was born at 27 weeks and through her struggles with being born premature, she developed Cerebral Palsy. We began her therapeutic journey with the typical early intervention PT home visits, PT/OT at the Glenrose Hospital, Botox injections, and AFO braces. While these are mainstream traditional therapies here in Canada, they were not proving to be effective for Breanna. Through conversation with another mom of a daughter with Cerebral Palsy here in Edmonton, I learned about ABMN therapy or the Anat Baniel Method Neuromovement. It didn’t take much time researching ABM to know that this was a therapy that we had to offer to Breanna.
For our daughter Breanna, after the first day of sessions, she was able to run. She went from wearing an AFO on each foot and walking/running awkwardly, to running like a “neuro-typical” child with no need for her AFOs. This was like watching a miracle happen! ABMN has allowed Breanna to:
· move her shoulders, neck, and trunk/core independently (this helps in almost every move that she makes),
· feel what is it like to have her core on top of her hips,
· tilt her head back to look up,
· raise her hands above her head,
· not require her AFOs, (no tripping over her toes and feet stay straight vs rolling or turning in),
· feel what is it like to be in control of her own body in many ways,
· digest food & void better,
· use her hands (all fingers) more effectively while increasing her fine motor skills,
· be able to lay down on both sides of her body without being in pain,
· learn different ways to sit and apply them in her daily living rather than a constant ‘w’ sit,
· move her hips without having to move her entire body,
· develop better eye tracking,
· sleep better, and
· eat better.
Through awakening parts of her body and making the incredible connections, this has allowed her to work on and develop the skills that her spastic cerebral palsy wouldn’t allow her to. It has also allowed her to properly strength train to keep those connections in place to continue to grow and master skills. There is no way that without ABMN, Breanna would be in the state that she is today with her Cerebral Palsy.
While not considered a traditional therapy, ABMN is gaining in popularity because it is effective and produces results. Families are tired of sitting in offices doing PT and OT that produces little results and keeps their quality of life at a stand still. ABM offers hope and a higher quality of life. Rather than learning how to live in the status quo, it allows a child (or adult) to have goals and the ability to reach them.
Mercedes
Mother of Two
“While seeing Graham , he seemed to be using very simple movements...movements that one would consider rather irrelevant or useless because they just seemed so easy and simple ..... however after some of these very simple but purposeful movements I was able to see an improvement in the way my daughters eye opened up ... normally her eyelid is lower and after seeing Graham it was functioning more optimally! I was so impressed how he treated my daughter that she didnt even know what he was treating her for ! She thought her appointments with Graham were for fun movement classes but in reality he was trreating her eye condition! This helped her so much so that she could Truly be herself with him and not be scared or self conscious about her body as she has been with other providers in the past ....where they are constantly poking or prodding the area ! I love how easy Graham is to work with ... he has a very peaceful state about him and he is extremely knowledgeable in many aspects of life !
I just wanted to finish by saying , If your child has something that you have been unable to figure out or where other health care providers cant help you with , then I would recommend Graham without hesitation! His knowledge and neuromovement treatment is phenomenal and has really helped my daughter and opened up my way of thinking about her condition!”
Karla
Mother of Two
“My 8 year old son who is on the Autism Spectrum and has a gross motor delay participated in several NeuroMovement lessons with Graham in two separate weeks. While my son typically resists any gross motor activities, he always looked forward to his lessons with Graham, due in no small part to Graham's wonderful style of connecting with him and incorporating his interests into the lessons. Graham made sure my son always had fun while learning new ways to move his body!
My son was in a bike camp the same week he did his second NeuroMovement intensive with Graham and we noticed he seemed much more confident on his bike than he has in the past and was more willing to take risks. He was starting, stopping and riding his bike independently by the end of the week and enjoyed riding his bike for the remainder of the summer.”
Thank you!
Christine K
Mother of Two
“After much needed stenosis surgery in April, 2018 I worked hard to regain general strength and movement in my lower body. I felt like I’d hit a wall. Short walks still required hiking poles. There wasn’t a garden hose or extension cord I could avoid tripping over. After attending the November 13 ABM neuro movement movie at The Plaza, Graham and I arranged a series of intensive sessions. The breakthroughs in mobility and balance were, dare I say, dramatic. I was able to downhill ski for 2 hours by January 15. On January 25th X/C skiing had its misadventures, but I managed 7.5 kms.
Graham’s understanding of what was holding me back was obvious. His knowledge and delivery of what I required was exceptional.”
-Jim F
Retired 65 year old
"Hello Graham,
I just want to thank you for the wonderful neuromovement sessions. I had pain in my right shoulder that was limiting my mobility while exercising as well as pain on my right hip area, both which I noticed were vastly improved after your sessions. I was so at ease with the gentle movement and I always left feeling so happy and in a state of relaxed awareness. Right after your session I usually had a better state of mind to tackle the rest of my day. I felt like I was resting in a cloud and a feeling similar after a good mediation. In addition I am grateful for your kind and friendly manner, you are so approachable and easy to feel comfortable and relate with.
I also wanted to mentioned that after a couple of session you did for my 12 year old son with Autism, something remarkable happened! He went to a climbing wall in a group activity and he climbed all the way to the top. He had never gone high, but did it several times then! He has expressed how much he hated climbing , and I have tried several times even recently to get him to try, but the most I got for him with lots of prodding, encouragement and holding him, was for him to go up as high as my shoulder while complaining and have a melt down etc. However after your sessions he is now trying climbing walls with, no negative comments, no melting, no prodding needed! He also started to be more adventurous in his recreational gymnastics class and even was able to do tasks that he refused or was not able to for 2 years!
From my 9 year old boy: "I love going to Graham, he is very nice and friendly. After I leave I feel relaxed, refreshed, and I can rest better. I also feel like I am more flexible and right after I feel like I can come out of my shell and happy."
I can't thank you enough and hope you continue with your work and mission and helping many others!
Sincerely,
Maria C”
Mother of Two
"The smallest movements make the biggest difference. The first time Gordon worked on me I was a bit sore so he did half that amount the next time. When he pressed gently both directions on my septum my whole trunk woke up. I try to keep doing that myself and the one that I roll just my pelvis alone. Not as stiff anymore!"
Charlene Wright
Occupational Therapist
"I'm happy to be in my 66 year old body and my whole nervous system feels more resilient after an ABM session with Graham - a gentle caring relaxing reeducation in movement at every session."
J.K.
“Last week I began a new movement therapy that gently helps my brain associate with my body particularly in the motor skills sector. It is difficult to explain the amazing change that has taken place over just six days for three hours. I will do my best. Before the therapy my muscle tone was so high I, I could not place my hands behind my head comfortably , much less move my legs without pain. Now I can do the first on my own and the second, while still requiring someone else to help, has no pain. It is truly a miracle from God. As I now can also grab things from a Ziploc bag and hand them over smoothly to other people.
As it says in the New Creed of the United Church.
"We are not alone, thanks be to God.””
Elisa - 25 year old University Student Diagnosis Cerebral Palsy
“Graham’s explanations and warm, professional and gentle approach immediately put me at ease. I started the session feeling locked up and uncomfortable in my own body. During the session I could feel the tension dissipate then disappear and the tension did not return, even after a full day of travel the next day. It is clear that he has a passion for the work he does.”-
Leah G.
Mother and Optometrist