Spending time inside the walls of a hospital is not something typically on a teenager’s to do list. Yarilee decided to make the most of her month-long stay on our inpatient unit by creating a scrapbook that highlighted all of her achievements and special moments while aboard the S.S. La Rabida.

13-year-old Yarilee was diagnosed with a severe case of scoliosis earlier this year. After undergoing surgery to correct the curvature in her spine, Yarilee required rehabilitative therapy. That is when she arrived at the Gem on the Lake. At La Rabida, Yarilee received inpatient physical and occupational therapy.

“During PT, we work on walking, do different leg exercises, and walk up and down the stairs. My occupational therapist has been helping me learn how to get dressed, improve my balance, and stand on my own,” shared Yarilee. “Therapy has allowed me to become more independent and helped me do the things that I could do before my surgery.”

Yarilee recognized that her time at La Rabida would leave a lasting impact on her life and was looking for a way to document it. That is why she created her very own La Rabida themed scrapbook.

“I knew that coming to here would be a life changing experience and I wanted a way to remember it. I wanted to have something to keep for memories and to look back on,” explained Yarilee.

Her scrapbook features photos with the child life specialists, from her time in therapy, and even her favorite memory at the hospital – baking funfetti cupcakes in the rehab kitchen with her occupational therapist.

“I love arts and crafts. It’s soothing and takes my mind off of things. This was the perfect way to spend my free time while here. Now I’ll be able to look back at all of these memories.”

Yarilee also used her creative side to showcase her gratitude. Before she was discharged, Yarilee surprised her nurses and therapists with a thank you poster that she painted just for them. “I wanted to say thank you to all of the nurses and therapists for all of their help to get me stronger. They are my motivators and always made sure that I am safe and okay.”

This story was featured in the September 2020 issue of Currents. Read the full issue here.