Meet Dana Florence

Meet Dana Florence

Giving birth is a life changing event for any woman. Giving birth to triplets in the 25th week of pregnancy, then learning all three have Cerebral Palsy would crush just about anyone.  Not Dana Florence. 

Bombarded with dire diagnoses and predictions of how difficult life would become, Dana just wanted to know what she could do to help.  After months of life saving procedures and operations, triplets Taylor, Cole and Brody finally left Neonatal Intensive Care and were able to go home, where caring for triplets with severe physical disabilities became a full-time job and passion. Traditional therapies were somewhat effective in improving mobility, but Dana wanted more.  Much more.  She was ultimately impressed with promising Stem Cell research and Robotic Therapy.  According to the latest studies, Stem Cells have the potential to regenerate damaged brain tissue and could one day help minimize or correct neurological disorders.  Robotic Therapy, which focuses on sensory stimulation and functional movement, wasn’t available where her kids were being treated, so Dana and her husband Jared founded Three To Be, a non-profit dedicated to supporting and advancing laboratory and clinical research initiatives for the development of therapies and treatments for children living with Cerebral Palsy and other neurological disorders.  On September 25, 2010, Three To Be will be hosting Stems of Hope Gala at Kool Haus in downtown Toronto to help finance innovative stem cell projects. 

Somehow, Dana manages to be an inspirational mother of special triplets while tirelessly advancing a foundation in their honor.  The Florence kids get up at 6:00 a.m. and it’s “non-stop from there”: physiotherapy, speech, learning and socialization therapy and swimming, in addition to eating, playing napping and bathing.  At 8:00 p.m. when the kids go to bed, Dana and Jared kick into Three To Be gear, working into the wee hours.  Early intervention has helped her kids come a long way in a short time, and Dana believes that future developments in therapeutic and rehabilitative therapies “hold so much hope and promise.”  Today Taylor, Cole and Brody are “incredible, happy and motivated children who love hanging out with all the people who love them.”  No doubt Dana will continue to pursue ways to help and ultimately cure not just her own children, “but also make the path easier for people down road.”  Prepare to be amazed at threetobe.org

10 Questions for Dana Florence:

MetroImma:         How has being a mom changed you?  
Dana Florence:    I was given a huge challenge which completely shifted my life in a more meaningful direction.

MI:    What strategies help you deal with life’s challenges?
DF:    I learned to accept help when offered, which was something I couldn’t do before.

MI:    How do you balance home and life?
DF:    When you’re passionate about something you make it work.  We also have an amazing, supportive team (of family and friends).

MI:    What advice would you give young women in your situation?
DF:    Take things moment by moment, day by day.  Stop worrying about the future. Try to accept things as they are and try to always look on the positive side. If I were negative, I wouldn’t be able to survive what we were given.

MI:    Motto you live by:
DF:     Do what you believe. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.

MI:    Who are your heroes / inspirational influences?
DF:    My parents have really modeled what I want to be as a parent; they have been so incredible.  I don’t know what I would do without them. Also, all the mothers I’ve met through this process have been so inspirational, their strength helps me get up in morning.

MI:    Describe your greatest reward.
DF:    Seeing their smiles makes everything worth it.  When I am having a tough day, all I have to do is look at my children and they all give me the biggest smile that can light up anyone’s heart.  It’s the little things that make such a big difference for us, like when our son was able to “give us five”, or our daughter said "mama" and "dada" for the first time.
                      
MI:    What do you do to relax/ recharge?
DF:    Going to the gym is my “me” time.

MI:    Share a proud mom moment:
DF:    Every time Taylor names all the people in our family.
When Brody stopped needing a monitor and oxygen for his breathing.
When Cole learned how to take his tooth brush and “brish” his own teeth.
When all three are successful at going on the potty!  A very proud moment!

MI:    What values do you hope to instill in your kids?
DF:    To never give up and always believe in yourself no matter what anyone tells you.


What would you do if faced with similar circumstances? Who would you turn to? How would you get through it? Share inspirational words or stories, or send us questions and/or comments for Dana.