Dolphin Therapy Experiences of Morstein´s

Written by Morstein Family

Dolphin Therapy Experiences of the Morstein Family from 4.8 -18.8.2007.

Hello,At long last we have found the time to let you know of our impressions of the dolphin therapy in Antalya from 4.8. -18.8.2007.

The journey to turkey was altogether quite without problems, except that the Airport at Stuttgart was not prepared for disabled persons. In Dalaman we were met and taken to the transfer bus. After a 90 minute drive we arrived in the Antalya Resort. After lunch we moved into our accommodation. 2 nice rooms next to each other. Christoph claimed straight -away the big “Wheelchair -suitable” room.
It was a shame that Christoph’s room had a 5cm high step that prevented the wheelchair from entering the bathroom. Also there were no hold bars in the bathroom.

There is an extensive selection of therapies that met all of Christoph’s requirements. Every day (excepting Saturdays) we had two therapy appointments.

We had Cranio -Therapy, which relaxes the muscles, with Astrid for the first two days.

At midday we had dolphin therapy with Barbara, Daisy and Violetta.

As Christoph had already had dolphin experience he had no problems with contact right from the very first day. He also got on very well with the dolphin Physiotherapist. From the third day in the mornings we had Hippo Therapy with Felis and Salih on the Dörtnal -Ranch. Here, also, everything was very relaxed and friendly. Christoph was cleverly made to do things that normally he would never have had the confidence to do.

The therapy with Daisy in the big floating dolphin pool was a pleasant experience for us all. Also the relaxed atmosphere with the parents at the pool’s edge was very positive. Because Christoph suffers from spastic diparesis but is mentally quite normal, he was able to do other things as well. The most fun we had was with his “Walking on water” and his attempts to dive with Daisy.

The Antalya Resort is quite large and there are many forms of relaxation or sports. Unfortunately the Hotel had no toilets for the disabled on the ground floor and the trip to our rooms was quite far. We recommend the Turkish Baths; the massage of the whole body is very invigorating. A trip to nearby Antalya (approx.15km) is a little difficult with the wheelchair. However a few families put together and organised a bus in which we could take two wheelchairs. The Bazaar in Antalya is well worth a visit, though our three hours stay was a bit short.

Christoph has gained much more confidence since the therapy and his sense of balance has improved too. We hope that Barbara’s advice will improve things even more. The therapies and the organisation were the best we have experienced to date, so a big thanks to: Barbara, Daisy, Violetta, Astrid, Lisa, Salih, Felis, Bambi, Bodyguard, Mr Wiengarn, all the trainees and anyone else that we may have forgotten.

With very best wishes from Kehl, Peter, Silvia, Lara and Christoph Morstein

PS: It would have been a good idea for the parents to have got together and exchanged their views and experiences.