Daniel’s Integration Continues
Traveling to Prince George and spending time with Daniel and his family is quickly becoming one of the most meaningful parts of my life. Witnessing his progression since the injury and feeling more deeply woven into their family with each visit, fills my heart and soul.
A Meaningful Gift
The beginning of this visit was especially impactful because of a gift Daniel made for me. The gift itself was deeply meaningful, particularly knowing that Daniel only creates from his heart, but what touched me most was the fact that until our last visit, our fourth series of treatments, this would not have been possible. The limitations in his right hand would not have allowed it. On top of that, his speech had a noticeably greater ease and flow, something you'll observe in the video capturing my reaction when he presented the gift.
Self-Care and Integration
One thing I've learned with each visit is that the changes hold, even though Daniel is still finding his rhythm with self-care. Not quite there yet, but we're getting closer.
I'll be a bit tougher this time between visits, encouraging at least some form of daily Fascia Decompression, even if it's simply tongue decompression and belly work.
When months pass between sessions, the gains from our work become cemented, but they coexist with deeply ingrained patterns from the trauma.
Beyond the brain injury, the right clavicular fracture, which pulls his arm into internal rotation, still has a powerful grip on his system.
Healing the Arm: The Journey So Far
I remember the first time I worked on that arm back in October 2024. His forearm felt almost plastic, his hand like concrete. It took all my strength to open it, only for it to recoil immediately.
While you can still see a tendency toward internal rotation in the 'before' photo from this visit, the difference is remarkable since the beginning of this journey.
BEFORE | JAN 2026
AFTER | JAN 2026
BEFORE | JAN 2026
AFTER | JAN 2026
Day One: Foundation Work
As always, I began in the abdomen and chest to assess his breathing. I'm consistently thrilled to feel progress here with each visit. This time, I was able to move deeper into the belly right away and get further under the ribcage to free the diaphragm.
Spending the remainder of the first day working through the chest, right arm and hand, and the neck and head, I finished feeling both satisfied and deeply excited about what this year holds for Daniel.
Day Two: Lower Body Breakthrough
On day two, I shifted focus to the legs, an area that previously took a back seat as the arm demanded priority. With the changes holding so well from prior sessions, I knew it was time to give the lower body the attention it deserved.
The morning was devoted to this work, and we ended the session with me 'flying' him, something I hadn't been able to do before. He handled it like a champion.
The afternoon brought us back to the upper body for continued integration.
Day Three Morning: Upper Back and Shoulder Release
The morning of the final day is where things truly ignited for me. Working with Daniel in a seated position allowed me to approach his upper back, neck, and shoulder from a different angle, and I went deep.
My fingers were buried in the armpit and under the scapula. This was painful for Daniel, but his capacity to tolerate sensation has increased significantly. I could feel the adhesions connected to the clavicular fracture and stayed there for a long time.
My hands were hot and sweating. I felt layers of adhesion slowly unravel, followed by a powerful pump through his arm and hand. My own body responded with goosebumps, it was as though I could exhale on a deeper level, knowing we had reached a primary source of his trauma.
The morning of the final day is where things truly ignited for me. Working with Daniel in a seated position allowed me to approach his upper back, neck, and shoulder from a different angle, and I went deep.
My fingers were buried in the armpit and under the scapula. This was painful for Daniel, but his capacity to tolerate sensation has increased significantly. I could feel the adhesions connected to the clavicular fracture and stayed there for a long time.
My hands were hot and sweating. I felt layers of adhesion slowly unravel, followed by a powerful pump through his arm and hand. My own body responded with goosebumps, it was as though I could exhale on a deeper level, knowing we had reached a primary source of his trauma.
Day Three Afternoon: The Hand Softens
That afternoon became a three-hour marathon focused on the upper body – core, ribcage, arm, neck, and head. With so much release from the morning, the bicep and elbow emerged as the next limiting factors to full arm extension.
As we worked through them, something shifted profoundly: for the first time, his hand had a softness I had never felt before.
His arm could now rest at his side without the automatic recoil that once forced the palm to face downward. Standing, the arm hung straighter than it ever had. I asked Leah, his mom, to feel his hand, and she noticed the change in tissue quality immediately.
The Neck and Head: Deep Release
I spent the final hour working in Daniel's neck and head. This area has always been challenging, particularly the right side under the jaw and around the ear, where significant trauma occurred. The adhesions here are deep, painful, and understandably frightening for him.
This time was different.
If you've ever chewed gum until it begins to disintegrate, that's the closest description I have for what my hands felt beneath his jaw. I'd encounter density, then suddenly my fingers would sink through as adhesions separated. It was one of the most satisfying sensations my hands have ever known.
I've long believed that part of Daniel's speech challenges stem from the tongue being trapped. While the brain injury plays a role, feeling these restrictions release gives me great confidence that his speech will continue to improve in the months ahead.
Evening with Family and Reflection
Our final evening together was spent watching Jaws. It transported me back to watching that movie with my dad as a child, and wrapped me in the feeling of family. Barry and Leah, Daniel's parents, are my age, and I feel a deep kinship with them. Their five children all live at home, and I'm forming meaningful connections with each of them.
I would never wish trauma on anyone, yet this is part of life. Leah has become like a sister to me, and we often talk about life and the direction of this world. I shared with her and Barry that in my twenties I was lost, filled with shame and guilt. At 37, I forgave that version of myself and recognized it as the foundation for everything I've brought forward. Now, at 56, I wouldn't change a thing.
Daniel's Character and Spirit
Daniel is 23 and understandably shattered by a life-altering event. Perspective changes with time. I am deeply committed to continuing this work with him, and I believe from my heart and soul that one day he will recognize this version of himself as the seed of everything to come.
Daniel is one of the most intuitive, heartfelt people I've ever met. Injury aside, his true self radiates through every joke, every glance, every smile. There is a depth to him that feels ancient, as though he carries lifetimes of wisdom. I believe he was placed on this path so others could learn through him and rediscover what healing truly means.
We have no idea what we are capable of. For me, Daniel is an angel, guiding me to see what's possible and allowing this journey to be shared with all of you.
My Mission and Final Message
One of my missions is to pass on as much wisdom as I can while I'm here, so you may walk forward with tools and insights to support your own healing.
And with that, I'll leave you with a message that came to me while my hands and breath were deep in Daniel's body:
No matter your situation, progress can be made. Depending on the circumstances, it may be easy, it may take everything you have, or anything in between. But as long as you are here, give life all that you've got.
I've had moments when I wanted to leave this life, thankfully fleeting, and I understand the exhaustion and despair that can make you want to let go. But those moments of clarity, exhilaration, and faith? They can become more than fleeting. They can become your foundation.
If everything were easy, nothing would be cherished.
Let Daniel be an anchor to what is possible. Consistency, faith, presence, and baby steps accumulate quickly. What others call miracles are simply intentions in action.
Breathe & Believe,
Deanna
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