THE parents of little Hannah Antonio have told of her "wonderful" trip to swim with dolphins in Florida to help cure her disabilities.
Hannah's experience, which was helped by the generosity of Forest folk who contributed to her expenses, has made her much more focused, say Mike and Kim Antonio of Westbury-on-Severn.
Hannah, aged four and a half and who suffers from cerebral palsy, really got the best out of the revolutionary treatment – despite the threats of two major hurricanes hitting the Florida Keys during her stay.
"We came back feeling positive about Hannah's future and thankful for the chance of taking Hannah to swim with the dolphins," they say.
"Hannah was an ideal child for the Dolphin Human Therapy Centre with her ready smile and sweet temperament and she loved Jeff, her therapist, and Nikki the dolphin, from day one – and they loved her back."
The Antonios explained that Hannah would be given a series of exercises to undertake on a platform beside the water where the dolphins swam. Her progress became better each day.
"Hannah would also be taken into the water for interaction with Nikki the dolphin. These times were lovely and Hannah was not at all afraid of Nikki who would push her around or let her hold onto his fin to be pulled along.
"Since going back to school her teachers report a definite move forward with her concentration, her physical wellbeing and cognitive skills," say the Antonios.
And they add: "We would like to thank everyone who made the trip possible."