An Estevan family is seeking community support to help their four-year-old daughter, Aubrey Dyck, gain the ability to walk independently.
Aubrey has never walked on her own due to extremely tight achilles tendons, which force her to move on her knees or tiptoes. Despite years of testing and therapy, doctors in Canada have been unable to determine a solution.
“She has crazy amounts of strength for how tiny she is,” said Tanner Dyck, Aubrey’s father. “But she just can’t get around without being on her tiptoes.”
Tanner and his wife, Kimberley, have spent years searching for answers. Initial tests ruled out cerebral palsy, and treatments like casting and ankle-foot orthotics have not helped. Now, specialists have run out of options, and long wait times have delayed further progress.
“We started doctoring through Wascana in Regina, and then that led us to Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon, where we got more information about what was going on,” Dyck explained.
Born with hip dysplasia, Aubrey’s primary issue lies in the tendons in her ankles, particularly the achilles, which are too tight. “So there needs to be relief put in there so that she can stand flat-footed,” Dyck said.
Earlier this year, the family connected with others who had undergone similar experiences and learned about selective percutaneous myofascial lengthening (SPML), a minimally invasive surgery offered in New Jersey. This procedure, unavailable in Canada, targets tight muscles and could enable Aubrey to walk with her heels down.
“They’ve helped point us in the right direction as to who to see, why you’re seeing them, how to get around, how to plan things so that you’re not caught in the middle,” Dyck said. “New Jersey is just across the Hudson River from New York City, and there are a lot of people there. So being myself from a small town like this, that is going to be a massive adjustment. They have been mentoring us in what to expect for big-city surgeries, doctors and people. That has been a huge benefit.”
Since November, Aubrey has been receiving therapy through the Anat Baniel Method (ABM), which requires a five-hour drive for weekly sessions. Her parents say the therapy has already improved her speech, movement, and stability, giving them hope that surgery combined with rehabilitation could be life-changing.
“Aubrey’s the youngest of three, and she currently only walks on her knees,” said Dyck. “She is strong, determined, and maybe holds a little bit of a grudge toward her brother and sister. We’re anticipating a lot of speed, four years’ worth of pent-up speed.”
The Dycks hope to have the surgery in September so Aubrey can recover and learn new movement patterns before starting kindergarten.
“She’s going to be running everywhere,” Dyck added. “That’s what we’re looking forward to. It will definitely be a workout for both of us to keep up with her.”
They are also hopeful she’ll be up and walking around in time for Halloween trick-or-treating.
Because the procedure is out of the country, it is not covered by provincial health care. The family is raising funds to cover surgery, travel, accommodations, custom orthotics, and months of therapy, with total expenses reaching around $90,000.
The family says the response from loved ones, and the community has been overwhelming.
“We are grateful for any support, whether it is a donation or simply spreading the word,” Dyck said.
To learn more about Aubrey’s story or to donate, visit the family’s GoFundMe page or follow her journey on Instagram at @aubreysplaytherapy.