Personal obstacles lead to academic success. Dighton mom inspired by daughter's fight.

DIGHTON — The strength and determination of her 17-year-old daughter inspired Aimee Rodrigues, 35, to pursue a degree as an occupational therapy assistant at Bristol Community College. As a senior in high school, Rodrigues gave birth to her daughter Leanna, who suffered a stroke in utero and was subsequently diagnosed with a rare brain abnormality.

Doctors told Aimee that her daughter would never be able to talk on her own, eat on her own or walk on her own. Years of therapies followed and she started achieving goals, ultimately walking independently at age 14. But when the pandemic hit, Aimee was thrust into serving as Leanna's teacher and therapist, which ultimately inspired her to go back to school.

Aimee graduated last week as valedictorian of Bristol Community College's Class of 2024, achieving a 4.0 GPA, earning two associate degrees — Occupational Therapy Assistant and General Studies, Health and Life Sciences.

“I was directly inspired by her. She’s the real story,” said the North Dighton resident about her daughter and reason for pursuing a career in healthcare.

Her daughter is her inspiration

Leanna, 17, has been living with challenges since the very beginning. Leanna’s 20-plus medical conditions have required a variety of therapists and special needs assistance surrounding almost every aspect of her life.

“I’ve had therapists around me her whole life,” Aimee said.

It has been all the therapists over the years – those who have helped Leanna learn and function as well as she does in her life – that inspired Aimee’s career trajectory.

Aimee said, as an occupational therapist or assistant, the work consists of “helping both children and adults, throughout their lifespan, engage in activities that are meaningful and purposeful,” whether that’s at medical facilities, in school systems, or home-based.

This includes any skill or function that a person needs to do in their daily routines, whether that’s for people with special needs, those looking to find some independence, or those with injury-based disabilities needing to relearn functions.

Turning point

At commencement, during her valedictorian speech, Aimee told the crowd a big turning point for her came during the pandemic, when, due to Leanna’s immunocompromised state, everything had to become virtual.

“For six hours a day, I was helping facilitate daily lessons and therapies with the guidance of her school team,” she said.

During this period, thanks to Aimee’s constant efforts and guidance from the school team, Leanna, at age 14, walked for the first time, independently, without a walker.

Encouragement from her daughter’s therapy team, and support from her husband and family, motivated Aimee to enroll in BCC’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program.

"I was craving something new," Aimee said. "I knew I wanted to help people but was not exactly sure what to do."

New path forward

Presently, Aimee works part-time for the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission as a Family Inclusion Ambassador. She said the position is about helping families of those with disabilities have access to the right services and resources as they help them transition towards independent living.

With her two new degrees, Aimee plans to continue her work with the Rehabilitation Commission, “advancing myself as a disability advocate” and “helping all the tiny humans (children).”

She also plans to further her education on the path to becoming a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

“I want to give back, for all those who helped me and my daughter," she said.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Aimee Rodrigues is Bristol valedictorian, inspired by disabled daughter