A Little Progress From the Right Support
In October 2023, Mya Haywood was just 16 years old when her brother found her completely unresponsive. She was rushed to the hospital, where she would spend the next six months receiving care.
“It was an incredibly difficult and uncertain season for our family,” says Crystal Perez, Mya’s mother and primary caregiver. “The doctors eventually told us we needed to make a decision about removing her from life-sustaining support.”
Mya sustained an anoxic brain injury, a condition caused when the brain is deprived of oxygen. During her first month in the hospital, she remained unresponsive and required a tracheostomy, feeding tube and ventilator support. Mya’s doctors explained that if she were to recover, she would require 24-hour care.
“We were learning to navigate a life we had never imagined, says Crystal. “Our focus was trying to understand what Mya’s future would look like and how we could give her the best possible quality of life.”
Over the next few months, Mya began to show small signs of progress. However, the injury left her with significant physical and cognitive disabilities, dramatically changing her ability to communicate, move and complete everyday activities.
When Mya finally came home, she received in-home speech, occupational and physical therapy through a nursing agency. Despite her progress, Mya still faced a long road ahead, and Crystal knew finding the right support would be essential to her continued recovery.
“We knew Mya needed support,” says Crystal. “But we were still learning what that support could look like and where to find the right services for her.”
Crystal learned about TEAMability through another parent whose daughter had experienced a similar injury. Part of Warm Springs Foundation’s Circle of Care, TEAMability supports individuals with complex disabilities.
“Hearing her story gave me hope,” says Crystal. “Knowing that another family faced similar challenges and found a place where their child was supported and encouraged made me feel that TEAMability might be a better fit for Mya than the services we were receiving at home.”
Mya was shy during her first visit to TEAMability but quickly connected with the staff. As they prepared to leave, Mya told her mother, “I like it.”
“Those three little words meant so much to me,” says Crystal. “They gave me reassurance that she felt comfortable, and that was a wonderful first step.”
Today, Mya continues to receive physical therapy at TEAMability, where she works to improve her strength, mobility and balance. Through consistent encouragement and individualized support from the staff, Mya has developed greater stability and can stand with assistance for longer periods, help move herself during dressing and sit upright in her wheelchair without requiring a full chest strap for support.
“Those may seem like small things to some people,” says Crystal. “For us, they represent progress.”
Beyond her physical progress, Mya has become more comfortable communicating and connecting with others. Now 19, she is spunky, sharp and loves all kinds of music. For Crystal, finding TEAMability has meant finding people who recognize those qualities in Mya while supporting their family through each new challenge.
“That kind of partnership means so much as a parent and caregiver,” says Crystal. “Knowing that you have people in your corner who genuinely care about your child and are willing to work with you makes this journey feel a little less overwhelming.”
Looking toward the future, Crystal hopes Mya will continue finding her voice, advocating for herself, making choices and pursuing goals that are meaningful to her. With continued support, Mya will have more opportunities to build connections, express herself and participate in life on her own terms.
“She is still Mya,” says Crystal. “There is so much more to her than her disability.”
Key Takeaways:
- October is National Physical Therapy Month, a time to celebrate the physical therapists who help individuals recover, rebuild confidence and move forward.
- Since 2003, TEAMability has helped children and adults with complex disabilities discover their abilities through collaborative, individualized therapy and meaningful participation. Learn more about their programs and services here.
- At Warm Springs Foundation, we proudly support TEAMability along with others in our Circle of Care who provide life-altering possibilities for those living with disabilities