Olivia had her first seizure in May 2021, which prompted her family to seek immediate medical attention. A comprehensive gene panel confirmed a lifelong diagnosis – GRIN2A gene mutation. This condition may cause a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders, including epilepsy.
Olivia, or as she prefers to be called – Olive, is now nine years old. She enjoys school and playing with her three siblings. Most of all, Olive likes performing on stage. “She is full of life, zest, and spunk. She is a lovely person with a great heart,” as her mom, Jackie, proudly describes her.
Olivia discovered her passion for music and performing arts through one of the programs she could enroll in, thanks to the Bobby Dodd Institute (BDI) Family Support Program. When Olive’s family found out about the diagnosis, they prepared for a long journey. Looking for solid support and resources, they discovered BDI. “When I first heard about Bobby Dodd [Institute], I was in disbelief. Because when you are dealing with these types of conditions, so many things must happen. I was so excited to learn about these amazing programs,” Jackie recalls her first emotion after learning about BDI.
Thanks to the Family Support Program, Olive began attending horse therapy with Chastain Therapeutic Horseback Riding. There, Olive connected strongly with her volunteer therapist. The program helped her build confidence and strength. Inspired by Olive’s passion for music, drama, and theater, her family also enrolled in therapeutic music sessions, which are neurologically based and proved to be a perfect fit for her. Olive fell in love with it, and she excitedly anticipated those lessons. “Music has always been her soul,” Jackie says. The success of music therapy was why Olive enrolled in guitar lessons.
Olive’s mom remembers her first recital: “I was so nervous, anxious, and cold sweating. But … it was the exact opposite for Olive. She enjoyed being center staged. Her happy place is when she is performing.” Music therapy through BDI helped Olivia navigate the challenges involved with playing the guitar.
In July, the family hit a medical snag. They made the hard decision to cancel the therapies. Looking for other ways to bring joy and positivity into their lives, they turned to the BDI Family Support team for advice. The program covered the cost of several memberships – Zoo Atlanta, Georgia Aquarium, and the Children’s Museum of Atlanta. These fun and educational activities are not only a way to distract the family from the countless medical appointments but also a way to increase the family bonds and further improve the beautiful mother-daughter relationship that Olive and Jackie cherish so much.
The family hopes to resume the therapies that Olive enjoys.
“It’s been a learning journey, but it makes me grateful for places like BDI. We were so laser-focused on the medical aspect that it was easy to forget that she needed to enjoy herself. These are not only things that are helping her but activities that she likes. It reminds us that we need to enjoy life. And we couldn’t do this without the Bobby Dodd Institute.”
