Meet Mighty Anna Rees

A Journey of Strength and Hope: An Update on Anna Rees

At Bee Mighty, we are always inspired by the incredible stories of resilience and perseverance within our community. One such story is that of Anna Rees, whose journey we first shared in 2021. We recently had the opportunity to catch up with her family and learn about her progress. We are so grateful for the update and excited to share where she is now!

Looking Back: Anna Rees’ Journey in the NICU

For those who may not remember, Anna Rees was born full-term via emergency C-section after her mother experienced a placental abruption. As a result, she developed Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), a condition caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain before or during birth. This ultimately led to her diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy.

Anna Rees spent 29 days in the NICU. By day 9, an MRI revealed moderate brain damage, signaling the need for ongoing therapies to support her development.

The Road to Recovery: Therapy and Support

Since leaving the NICU, Anna Rees has been involved in various therapies, including Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech Therapy, Feeding Therapy, and Aqua Therapy. Her dedication and hard work have led to remarkable progress in all areas. She continues to put in the effort daily, growing stronger and more capable with each passing milestone.

Giving Back: A Mother’s Perspective

While Anna Rees’ journey has been transformative, it has also deeply impacted her mother, a former Labor & Delivery nurse. Though no longer practicing in the field, she remains a resource for other mothers facing similar challenges. Through her volunteer work with Bee Mighty, including serving family dinners at the NICU at Levine’s, she has been able to connect with and support other families navigating difficult diagnoses.

How Bee Mighty Made a Difference

The Bee Mighty community has played a significant role in Anna Rees’ journey. Her family first learned about Bee Mighty through their service coordinator, Rachel Bonaparte, at CDSA. Recognizing that insurance would only cover a fraction of the therapies Anna Rees needed, they applied for and received two grants from Bee Mighty to help fund her physical therapy. These grants have been instrumental in ensuring she continues to receive the support she needs.

A Day in the Life of Anna Rees

Today, Anna Rees is thriving! Now in first grade at Rama Road Elementary School, she adores school and receives PT, OT, and speech therapy both at school and through private sessions at Child and Family Development. At home, she enjoys bouncing on her trampoline, listening to music, and playing with her big brothers. She wakes up every day with a smile, ready to embrace whatever comes her way.

Words of Encouragement for Other Families

No family is ever fully prepared to have a child with a disability. After a healthy pregnancy, Anna Rees’ diagnosis was unexpected and overwhelming. Reflecting on their journey, her mother offers this advice to families facing similar challenges:

“Focus on today and love and enjoy your baby exactly as they are. In the beginning, I was so consumed with trying to ‘fix’ Anna Rees that I missed out on the precious newborn moments. Over time, we found a balance—pushing her in therapy while also letting her be a kid. She is full of joy and works so hard every single day. We couldn’t be prouder of the little girl she has become. We are incredibly thankful for organizations like Bee Mighty, which have allowed her to receive the therapy she needs to be her very best.”

Anna Rees’ story is a testament to resilience, love, and the power of community support. We are honored to be part of her journey and look forward to seeing her continue to grow and thrive!