Nature has a way of easing the mind and letting the stressors of life escape in the moment. Curiosity can take over and boundaries that seem to be road blocks become lifted. For 8-year-old Olivia Clark, this is exactly how she feels as soon as she enters the great outdoors. When Olivia was about 7 months old, she was diagnosed with HSV1 Encephalitis which led to seizures and severe brain damage. Later, she was diagnosed with Lennox Gastaut Syndrome; a condition that is a form of epilepsy that causes a variety of seizures that are difficult to treat. Cerebral Palsy and hip dysplasia are also a part of her diagnosis. As a result, Olivia has undergone several surgeries and had multiple long hospital stays.
According to Olivia’s mom, Jessica Clark:
“Olivia’s personality has always been carefree and happy. She finds joy in the simple things which is why the outdoors have become such a monumental part of our lives. Olivia has been sick a lot and behind developmentally. We used to go outside a lot when she was a year old and take rides in her wagon. We would lay outside in the grass and look up at the sky. The outdoors has always been our place to go and escape the stress of life and relax.”
Upon hearing this, we were able to connect with Olivia’s family to schedule a visit and have Darby hang out with them for the afternoon. She was able to explore the grounds, sit in the fallen autumn-colored leaves and feel at peace among the nature. Her time here was filled with freedom and happiness. She was encapsulated in joy while walking around and taking in all that our trails have to offer. Jessica shared that, “it is in those moments in the outdoors that I see Olivia fully engaging in life."
Olivia’s disability becomes less of a struggle when she is able to explore outside. She loves when she can feel the wind in her hair and the sun beaming warmly on her face. Jessica also mentioned her favorite activity to do outside is to take Olivia on walks in her gait trainer. She mentioned that is their time to spend together; Olivia is able to feel a sense of independence and to be one with nature which they both love. Her resilient personality makes her, “the happiest and as close to whole as I could ever imagine” as Jessica explains.
We are so grateful to have met Olivia and can’t wait to see her and her family exploring The Arboretum!