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Janay Green: Painting a colorful future
All ten-year-old Janay Green wants to do is create art and play with her friends. Her smile is contagious; if you spend just a minute with Janay, you can't help but smile right along with her.
When Janay was a toddler, she began to have seizures as a result of spastic cerebral palsy and a genetic disorder which caused developmental delays. That is when the family came to Courage Kenny Kids, a specialized pediatric rehabilitation program. It was here Janay worked several times a week with occupational and physical therapists and speech pathologists to help her achieve developmental milestones.
In 2010, when she was just four years old, Janay underwent a surgery known as Rhizotomy which is a procedure where nearly 40 percent of her spasticity-causing nerves in her spine were isolated, targeted and destroyed.
Because such a large percentage of nerves were cut, "She had to relearn everything," said her mom. "It was a long process, but Janay is a very strong and determined girl."
Through her therapies at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, "Janay's endurance has increased; her core strength improved, and she is more independent." In addition to Janay's hard work and persistence, her mom credits her amazing progress to her therapists." Janay's therapists genuinely care about her, and they have formed a special friendship."
Janay is now an active 3rd grader who loves creating all kinds of art, music and riding horses. She submitted her artwork, Flying Colors, to the 52nd annual Art of Possibilities Art Show & Sale featuring artists with disabilities at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. Even better, her artwork sold - a confirmation of Janay's artistic talent.
"I like seeing people enjoy my art work", said Janay.
"She wants to be an illustrator someday, and I know she will be."
When Janay was a toddler, she began to have seizures as a result of spastic cerebral palsy and a genetic disorder which caused developmental delays. That is when the family came to Courage Kenny Kids, a specialized pediatric rehabilitation program. It was here Janay worked several times a week with occupational and physical therapists and speech pathologists to help her achieve developmental milestones.
In 2010, when she was just four years old, Janay underwent a surgery known as Rhizotomy which is a procedure where nearly 40 percent of her spasticity-causing nerves in her spine were isolated, targeted and destroyed.
Because such a large percentage of nerves were cut, "She had to relearn everything," said her mom. "It was a long process, but Janay is a very strong and determined girl."
Through her therapies at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, "Janay's endurance has increased; her core strength improved, and she is more independent." In addition to Janay's hard work and persistence, her mom credits her amazing progress to her therapists." Janay's therapists genuinely care about her, and they have formed a special friendship."
Janay is now an active 3rd grader who loves creating all kinds of art, music and riding horses. She submitted her artwork, Flying Colors, to the 52nd annual Art of Possibilities Art Show & Sale featuring artists with disabilities at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. Even better, her artwork sold - a confirmation of Janay's artistic talent.
"I like seeing people enjoy my art work", said Janay.
"She wants to be an illustrator someday, and I know she will be."