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 Marmaris, 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 Marmaris. 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 »
First of all, Annika is 13 years old and weighs only 25kg! But she is a pack of muscles, very resilient and mostly very happy!
We booked through Delfintherapiereisen Megasport in Germany. That was very simple. At the beginning of the year I sent an e-mail stating the dates I wanted and travelled at the beginning of the Summer holidays. Megasport sends all the supporting documents per e-mail – one can also print them and fill them out at leisure! As I had a few questions I phoned them up and everything was answered, very nice and friendly. I can recommend that.
Annika flew for the first time! I was worried mostly about the flight. How would it be during pressure changes? I had previously obtained ear drops and nose spray from the chemists and just before take-off I filled her beaker with something to drink – to swallow! That helped a great deal, so that she had no pressure on her ears.
My second worry was how she would sit in the aircraft. I had brought another belt for her chest – round the back of the seat and to be fastened over her chest – but it was unnecessary. The normal seat belt held her very well and if she tipped forward or to the side I was able to hold her. Our meal was noodles – super for Annika!
I had the impression that it was exciting for her. She loves riding carousel – the higher and faster the better.
We arrived at the Hotel Mares very late (9pm) it was already dark in Turkey, but we received an evening meal and everyone made us most welcome. The food was great in any case – all meals were presented in Buffets – and all variations of noodles. For breakfast I had brought porridge, (2 bags), which lasted the whole two weeks because she also ate other tasty things. ( like pancakes filled with nut-nougat cream).
We had been promised a room suitable for the disabled, but we were given a normal room. No problem for me, though, as I had brought a toilet chair for Annika from home. (this counts as medical baggage and is not deducted from the 20kg limit, it is free). The shower was so big that I could use it together with Annika and her toilet chair. There was only one small step to carry the chair over. In the room were instructions as to where I had to go and at what time – everything was very well organized.
Our appointment for dolphin therapy was the first, at 9am, when it was not quite so warm. The dolphin therapy started at the edge of the pool. Annika had to throw a ball or a ring into the water and Frosia (the name of “our” dolphin) brought the items back to her. Annika held her feet in the water and Frosia swam past. Annika gave Frosia a “kiss” and they danced hand in flipper. The whole time the trainer, Barbara, held and supported Annika so that I could lean back and relax and was not anxious about Annika – a very nice feeling for me! In the water Annika wore a life jacket and there, also, Barbara supported her very well. Annika had so much fun with the dolphin that I often had tears in my eyes. In the mornings Annika also had Physio- and Cranio- therapy. At 2pm we were picked up at the Hotel and driven to Hippo therapy and at 5pm we were back at the Hotel.
We always then went straight to the beach and cooled off in the water. As we were there at the beginning of the Summer holidays we always had warm weather and sunshine, sometimes up to 46°C. In the Autumn holidays everything is a bit cheaper, but then the air and water is cooler. And as Annika feels the cold so quickly, we chose the Summer holidays. Fantastic!!!!!
The only hardship we had to put up with was that the path between the Hotel and the beach was strenuous. To the beach it was downwards, pretty steep, and not tarred but flagstones joined with cement. The way back up was strenuous, as I was pushing the wheel chair on its two large back wheels so that it didn’t wobble too much for Annika. It would have been a lot easier with a Reha-Buggy or a Jogger! – As I am a positive thinking person I saw it all as a work-out:-)
After the first week Annika had two days of home sickness, between therapies she was always crying and we telephoned a lot with Grandma, Grandpa and her sister Tanja, went early to bed (9pm) – had a cuddle and then slept. Annika had never shown home sickness, I was astounded. This was also progress, even if it wasn’t nice! But after 2 days she was fit and happy again.
One evening a dolphin therapy trainee took Annika to the kid’s Disco! Annika wouldn’t let me come with her even just to take a photo! Without Mum at long last!
We would like to visit Turkey again for another dolphin therapy, but this time with the whole family.
Annika benefited a lot from the therapy. She is much quicker with her speech computer, she is more alert and strong-willed (which is not always a blessing). She was dismissed from class at school a couple of times because she gave no answers with her speech computer, preferring to listen to music. For me as a mother it was no holiday, but nevertheless it was a wonderful time for us both!!!! We’ll be back!!!!!!!!
If you have questions concerning dolphin therapy you may contact this family thomas.ruedebusch@freenet.de
Article from nw-news.de, 31.12.2012, Author: Miriam Scharlibbe
Dilsah Sue has a brain defect since birth / Through meeting the dolphins she learned to walk
Dilsah Sue is nine years old. She can walk, chew by herself and focus with her eyes. She lets herself be touched and makes noises. That was not always the case. 5 years ago the girl was tube-fed. The Doctors had no hope. But Dilsah Sue dumbfounded all prognoses.
Five years ago the ‘Neue Westfälische’ reported the lot of the little girl for the first time. Dilsah Sue’s family were trying to collect enough money for a Dolphin Therapy. Many people donated and made the alternative treatment possible, which radically changed the life of the family.
Dilsah Sue was a planned child for whom her parents, who do not wish to be named, had waited for 9 years. In the sixth month of pregnancy the Doctors diagnosed a diaphragm hernia. As a result the organs slip into the stomach area and compress the lungs. “We did not know how ill our daughter would be, even if she would survive until birth”, said her mother. Read the rest of this entry »
we would like to give a hearty thanks to all our young patients and their families, and also to all dolphin friends, for their trust and support. All the unforgettable hours of joy shared in our Dolphin Therapy Center in Marmaris will remain in our hearts.
The whole Onmega Dolphin Therapy Center Team and Mega-Sport-Reisen including our dolphins Daisy, Frosia, Splash and Flipp wish you a merry and restful Christmas and a peaceful New Year blessed with good health.
We are happy about our new team member and to announce our new country website for Dolphin Therapy in Hungary. Csollák László is happy to answer your questions about our unique therapy approach by swimming with dolphins and is here for your concerns about dolphin therapy in Hungary.
Victoria (8) from Saxony thanks all ‘Neue Welt’ donators- The Dolphins have worked a Miracle
Manuela Lenuweit from Priestewitz in Saxony says dolphins are the angels of the seas. And she is still astounded by the immense progress her seriously ill daughter Victoria has made thanks to the gentle animals.
Victoria carefully strokes the dolphin helped by therapist Barbara and trainee Lisa
The eight year old girl cannot eat or drink on her own and sits in a wheel chair. Doctors have been unable to diagnose her malady. Read the rest of this entry »
My daughter Nele had Dolphin Therapy from 17.09.-01.10.2011 in Marmaris, Turkey. Amongst other things this form of animal-assisted therapy works through ultra waves that the dolphins use for communication. These ultra waves set the child’s brain in an Alpha state; this is a condition which relaxes the brain but also in which the brain has its strongest learning ability. Normally this condition is present only when sleeping, when the day’s experiences are processed. During and after the Dolphin Therapy this state remains retrievable for up to 3 to 6 months, so that the child’s heightened learning ability remains – Tests have shown that the learning ability increases by 10 to 15 times more than normal.
For the therapy to be a success the child should also be adequately encouraged after the therapy. Read the rest of this entry »
We all arrived back safely with wonderful memories of Dolphin Therapy Center in Marmaris.
First of all I would like to thank you. I felt I was in very good hands. I must have got on your nerves sometimes with my many questions.
The therapies widely exceeded my expectations. The personnel were very professional and competent. I would recommend it to everyone. We shall definitely return as soon as we have saved enough money.
Anne, and also my other two daughters, gained a lot from their experiences. It was a shame that two therapy sessions had to be cancelled because of rain. Read the rest of this entry »
We hope you are all alright and have had such a nice Summer as we did. Some time has passed since we were with you for therapy. It was again a very nice, intense and successful time. Sandra has improved a lot.
Sandra loves the dolphins ( especially Frosia) a lot and she still often speaks of them. Every day she had a lot of fun at the therapy. She was also very proud to be alone in the water with Frosia and to be allowed to give her instructions.
I went riding with Victoria today, before that we were in a shop at a farm where we bought carrots for Moritz, her horse, and a green cucumber. By the time we arrived home Victoria had eaten the whole cucumber, usually I had to cut it into thin slices for her, but she had simply eaten the whole cucumber.
You do very good work, now I even hear sometimes the “s”. Here are a few more pictures of Victoria. Hearty greetings to everyone from the Lenuweit family. We see Flip daily, as Victoria presses the remote control of the DVD player into our hands every day, and she watches everything, and one can see her “little big head” at work. She has also eaten a whole apple, as if she had never done anything else.
If you have questions concerning dolphin therapy you may contact this family lenuweit@msn.com
