Theo’s space for healing and hope

With help from Satan’s Little Helper, 10-year-old Theo now has a quiet, calming study corner to support his rehabilitation from a brain injury and begin learning from home.

Following a mid-brain injury that impacted everything from memory retention to emotional regulation, nine-year-old Theo is homeschooled full-time by his mum Katrina, who also manages his daily rehabilitation.

“There was no information retention at school,” Katrina explains. “His brain was like a sponge with holes in it – that’s how information went in and out. But now, using the Doman method, we’re building new synapses and seeing impressive results.”

The Doman International program is intensive. For Theo, it includes four hours of rehab each day, while physical activities like Muay Thai help stimulate coordination and cognitive growth. It’s working slowly but surely and his ability to retain information and engage with the world is improving.

But Katrina has had to make big sacrifices to support him. “I gave up my business to homeschool him,” she says. “There’s no support once you remove a child from the school system. We’re starting from scratch.”

Building new foundations at home

To help support Theo’s learning journey, Satan’s Little Helper gifted him a desk, ottoman, whiteboard and power hub to set up a structured homeschooling space.

“It means Theo can keep everything in the same spot,” Katrina says. “He can do schoolwork at his desk and focus. It makes a huge difference. Having his own desk makes him feel like a grown-up and having everything in one place has also brought calm into the house,” Katrina says.

The new workspace has become part of Theo’s routine and is a small but meaningful step toward rebuilding learning pathways after years of frustration. It helps to regulate his day, provide a sense of control, and associate learning with feelings of safety and success.

This is all part of preparing Theo to eventually re-engage with more structured learning. Until the synapses are formed and functioning – something Katrina hopes will happen early next year – his days are focused on neurological development.

“I think things will really start to change after February,” she says. “We’re seeing glimpses now, but the real shift will come when his brain has built those foundations.”

A journey of recovery, with gratitude

Through it all, Katrina remains committed to giving her son the best possible chance at recovery. That’s why the support from Satan’s Little Helper means so much.

“It was something I couldn’t afford myself,” she says. “Thank you so much. It might seem small, but it’s made a big difference.”