Edited by Valentina, MaVi's mother, who with her family has joined the Mirrorable Certification Project developed with the Neurosciences Committee of the CNR of Parma
I do not see my daughter's deficit, Maria Vittoria, I do not really see it. I know she needs help and I know she is under therapy. But I do not see that anymore. Is it avoidance? Has she improved so much that you I not really see her deficit any more? It's because it's part of her, and our baby is like that, like Nemo, like those who wear glasses, or those who have a few pounds more? I do not know. I do not know why I do not see it.
But she does not see it, or rather, she had not seen her own deficit either. Because it does not really exist in our everyday life, it does not have any particular implications and impediments, unless some help with her shoes ... Or dressing her barbie ... Therapy, stretching or tape are part of our life, they are ordinary for us.
Then it comes Mirrorable and Mavi sees herself, in front of herself, on the screen ... whow! It's herself !!!!!!
She sees herself and she meets her video mate Giulio, and she asks me "why is the hand like that?"
Her own mental self-representation begins to change, it is integrated with the image of the sequential movements and their fatigue. Some smiles but also a lot of surprise and awareness. Mavi discovered herself for the first time.
The project for me can be said "moving", it touches the heart, if there is a mirror heart, it touches it too! The commitment of Francesca and Roberto, of neurologist Arturo and the families involved in the group is moving. It is moving to look forward to projects that will be the future for our children and are already the present. It is touching because it touches the silent and wounded minds of our children.
We have had difficulties in managing emotions, frustration and self-discovery, discover of our body, my emotions, emotions of an anxious mom to be the best. A lethal mix for serenity.
Fortunately, Francesca came and helped us, rescaled my fears and I rescaled Mavi's fears.
"Mirror accademy", on the wave of Regal Academy, a "daughters" cardboard, has become our night academy of magic.
And the mirror neurons were our gaming mates!
Children are "mirrored" and parents are mirrored too ... And having you with us is an enrichment, a help, a support, a hope.
Thanks from the heart (mirror-heart)
Valentina
Milan, May 2017 - Testimony collected by a family participating in the Mirrorable pilot project.
Contact us for more information about the project: www.mirrorable.org