We are finally getting around to sending you a little report about the dolphin therapy for our Lutz. Three months have already gone by since our return, and daily life is again making full demands on us.
But what will remain forever are the wonderful memories of our time in Antalya. To put it briefly: it was a huge success!
The day finally arrived in October 2019 when Lutz and we flew to Antalya in Turkey. Read the rest of this entry »
The therapy was very, very successful for Johannes! He was able to improve significantly once again in all areas. His focus improved, he refined his gross and fine motor skills, his stubbornness decreased, speech comprehension improved, he is able to convert verbal information significantly faster, and he tries more and more to apply the words that he learnt.
He was also able to perfect the numbers and colors. Read the rest of this entry »
Dolphin Therapy helped Serge: he smiles, concentrates better and is more alert of his environment.
Haltern: I am awaited. The thirteen year old Serge is excited, beaming at me through his thick spectacles. His mother, Dodo Akpaqnonite, wants to explain who the guest is, but Serge remembers my first visit, he knows why I have come, and he laughs into the camera.
”Serge is looser, more relaxed. He could open his hands and hold the dolphin’s fin. And he smiled a lot”. Dodo Akpaqnonite, Serge’s mother.
The severely disabled boy, who once could not move his arms, sat waiting. ”Hi, how are you?” I could even shake his hand. He grinned at me, which meant ”Everything’s OK”. I met Serge and his mother a year ago. She was tired, but she would not be beaten. Serge could neither concentrate nor coordinate his cramped hands. Even though he was strapped into a wheel chair he was always moving. His head shook with every change in mood. Had his wheel chair not been fully padded he would have been covered in bruises. His mother was constantly removing spittle from his chin. Now she needs to remind him to wipe himself, and usually he can. He can even open his hands.
Ten months ago during my visit he was sitting apathetically in his wheel chair. Now, he wants to ‘join in’ the conversation, laughing, humming, hand movements, rolling his eyes or blinking, he follows our conversation.
The mother related that she arrived back from Turkey on Tuesday. He had been in Antalya for Dolphin Therapy, visiting ‘Flip’, ‘Frosia’ and ‘Jonas’, with his mother Dodo for two weeks. Their stay in Antalya, said the mother, was very good. Read the rest of this entry »
Dramatic Meeting: Dilsah Sue with a therapist at work with a dolphin. The animals in Antalya live in a free-water dolphinarium. Her mother is fighting for a further course of treatment.
Dilsah Sue is blabbing. The past year the girl with the dark eyes manages in this way to communicate that she wants to say something. For longer than this she has been able to walk. In 2007 she managed to get up off the floor for the first time and then, slowly but progressively, over the following year she learned to walk. This was a big achievement for the nine year old and her family.
Dilsah Sue came into the world with a hernia of the diaphragm. In the sixth month of pregnancy the doctors diagnosed that the diaphragm of the little girl had not closed. The organs in the stomach region were not held in place and put pressure on the lungs. Read the rest of this entry »
So, it is now time for the Report of our third Dolphin Therapy, from 09.09 – 23.09.2011, in the ONMEGA Dolphin Therapy Center in Antalya, Turkey!
After the very, very good experiences we had in the Dolphin Therapy Center in 2008 and 2009, we were certain that we would return. In December our bookings were made and we were already looking forward……
On 09.09.2011 at long last the time had come, the aircraft flew us south, to the dolphins !!
As Leon had his therapy bicycle with him this time, we had booked a special Transfer through the Therapy Center, which worked very well. After a short wait we drove from the airport in Dalaman straight to the Club Turban Hotel in Antalya. We were so pleased with the Hotel last time we decided to stay there again. Everything there is suitable for children and the disabled, and the staff is really kind.
The weather was, apart from 2 rainy afternoons, super; sunshine and a temperature of 40°C, not so hot as in July. Just right for us after the bad Summer we had at home.
After 2 days relaxing on the beach, on Monday we started Leon’s therapy program. We had met Barbara on the platform the day before….. Leon recognized Barbara straight away, we were all happy and the atmosphere was warm and friendly as it had been in previous years. As if we had never left. Read the rest of this entry »
Dear Dolphin Therapy Team,
Janik was in Antalya for therapy from 5.6. – 19.6.2010 with his grandparents and was treated by Splash the dolphin and the therapists Fleur, Crissy, Anke, Beata and more whose names escape me.
We, the grandparents, only have Janik during the holidays and when he is ill and has to visit the lung specialist. So we only notice the progress he has made during a fifth of the last half year.
Janik is a lot more confident, doesn’t run away in panic from every animal. A while ago riding on the tandem a cat sprang into his lap. He didn’t shout, he threw up his hands but not defensively or screaming as he used to. He strokes his therapy horse even if it is dirty and he even scratches out the hooves as if it is a matter of course with him. He dares to lead the horse with its reins, he combs his therapy dog at eye level. Read the rest of this entry »
News from our dolphin family, Flip with Daisy and Splash with Frosia, making amorous advances.
For the first time, and in the hope of pairing, the Onmega Therapy Team in Antalya opened the gates of all three sea-water pools, which contain 3500 cu.m. and 15 Mio.L. of natural sea-water, so that all four dolphins were together.
Our rascal Splash, 9 years old, just out of puberty, straightaway angled the lovely and clever virgin Frosia, 14 years old, and is trying with sporty fervour to win her favour and solve his testosterone problem. Read the rest of this entry »
The therapy today was very emotional. Phil had a session together with Jenny (on the other side of the platform). She could just about put two words together and today she sang
Daisy, Daisy, dance with me, take both my hands, one up and one down and one time around, it’s easy ON HER OWN. Her mother Sibylle cried tears of joy. Now that was really something. Phil also was working well except that he didn’t want to brush Frosia’s teeth. Just now I went to the bathroom and I heard behind me Phil’s coming too’’ (yes, that was the voice of my son). And Phil’s health is a lot better… Read the rest of this entry »
DEAR BARBARA DEAR TEAM
I can hardly find the words, but I would like to try to express the uniqueness and happiness that we experienced together.
Daisy brought so much joy into Jennifer’s life and it was incredible to see her so happy and boisterous after so many years. Even after such a short time I can register successful developments, and that is all down to your good work. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by family Rupertsberger
Preview of the therapy report of Family Rupertsberger
Today it snowed for the first time, I hope it is still nice and warm where you are. I have to send you an important and very nice message.
Marcell rode his bike for the first time alone today. He can ride for a few 100 meters at a time. It is great, because that was our big hope for the dolphin therapy- that it would help him with his balance. We asked Marcell who had taught him to ride his bike and he said “The dolphins!”.
He is very proud of himself that he can now ride his bike. Isn’t it a great success?
A complete report of the family Rupertsberger will follow soon.
For dolphin therapy related questions you can contact this Family via email:
