Finding Her Voice…Miley’s Journey
When Miley Hernandez was born prematurely at just 1 pound, 10 ounces, her family faced an uncertain road ahead. She spent the first three months of her life in the NICU before finally being able to go home. Even then, Miley continued facing significant medical challenges. She required an NG tube for feeding and was born with a cleft palate and cleft lip. Years later, in 2022, Miley began experiencing seizures and was later diagnosed with epilepsy.
All of those challenges made finding her voice a difficult journey.
When Miley first came to Capper Foundation, everyday tasks were often overwhelming. She struggled with weak and tight muscles, difficulty swallowing, and sensitivity to activities such as brushing her teeth. She relied heavily on others for mobility and daily care and was unable to get herself into her wheelchair without assistance.
At Capper Foundation, Miley began working with speech-language, occupational, and physical therapists who helped her build strength, endurance, and confidence one milestone at a time. Therapy sessions focused on everything from sitting independently on a bench to practicing transitions from the floor to standing. Through exercises using resistance bands and weights, Miley slowly began building the strength needed for greater mobility and independence.
Today, Miley’s progress is remarkable. She no longer relies on a wheelchair and is able to walk with slight support. She continues gaining independence through daily life skills such as folding laundry, dressing herself, and brushing her teeth—tasks that once seemed out of reach.
Therapy has also opened new opportunities for communication and eating routines. Miley practices chewing skills to help reduce reliance on her gastrostomy tube during mealtimes. Using an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tablet, she is steadily expanding her vocabulary in both English and Spanish, allowing her to communicate more fully with others.
“It’s been a joy to watch her grow so much in such a short time, and I can’t wait to continue to see her progress,” Capper Foundation Speech-Language Pathologist Deborah Schloeman said.
For Miley’s family, every new skill represents another step toward confidence and self-reliance. But her progress does not stop when therapy sessions end. With guidance from her therapy team, Miley’s family continues exercises and therapeutic activities at home to help strengthen the skills she is developing during treatment at Capper.
Miley’s story is one of resilience, determination, and possibility. Through the support of donors and friends of Capper Foundation, children like Miley have access to individualized therapies and compassionate care that help them discover what is possible. Every milestone achieved is another reminder that with encouragement, opportunity, and support, children can continue building strength, finding their voice, and reaching their fullest potential.
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