Rhea Chancellor was 3 years old when Acute Flaccid Myelitis, a rare neurological condition, took movement from her neck down. Now 6, Rhea travels from her home in Illinois to Frazier Rehab in Louisville, where she’s part of a University of Louisville study through the Kosair for Kids Center for Pediatric NeuroRecovery. The therapists there discovered something simple and powerful: Rhea engages with her therapy when they sing her favorite song, “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan. So that’s exactly what they do, session after session.
The progress has been measured in moments most families would never think twice about. Rhea’s knees no longer buckle. And after three years without moving her thumb, she recently gave her mother, Wanda, a thumbs up. “She hasn’t been able to move her thumb for three years, and yesterday she gave me a thumbs up,” Wanda shared. Wanda has documented the entire journey on TikTok, where videos of Rhea’s therapy and milestones have collected more than 3 million views, turning one family’s fight into encouragement for thousands of others.
Rhea and Wanda have returned to Illinois, but they’re hoping to get back to Louisville for more therapy. Wanda’s goal is stated without a hint of doubt: if the therapy continues, her girl has a chance, and she believes Rhea will walk again. If you’ve ever watched someone you love fight for every inch of progress, you know that kind of hope doesn’t come cheap.
What song or ritual helps you or someone you love push through a hard day? Tell us in the comments.
