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Together we are strong!
A heart for two little miracles – help Michaela, a single mother of twins, to make dolphin therapy possible for her twins Liam and Malou, as health insurance does not cover it.
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Dolphins Therapy People Association
IBAN: DE52 3005 0110 0020 0024 24
SWIFT-BIC: DUSSDEDDXXX
Bank: Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf
Intended use: Liam and Malou Hoke
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this is us
Mama Michaela:
Ladies and gentlemen, dear supporters,
My name is Michaela, I'm 37 years old, and I've lived in Munich for 16 years. I'm originally from beautiful Baden-Württemberg. Since 2020, my life has been shaped by a deep love, but also by constant challenges. Our journey together began dramatically: My children were born extremely prematurely in the 26th week of pregnancy. Three months in intensive care were a constant fight for survival, an emotional rollercoaster that pushed me to my limits.
Despite several chronic illnesses, I fight for them with all my strength every day. They are my greatest motivation, even though it's not easy being a single mother of twins. Daily life is a constant battle – with doctors, health insurance companies, and assistive device providers. On top of that, there are the obstacles because many things simply aren't accessible, and one of my children uses a wheelchair. But despite all these challenges, I never give up, because my children give me the strength to keep going. My deepest wish is that my children can lead lives full of joy, self-confidence, and independence.
We need your help. Dolphin therapy, which unfortunately isn't covered by health insurance, can give my children new opportunities for development, mobility, and above all, joy in life. This therapy strengthens their emotional well-being and gives us new hope and energy.
I firmly believe that every bit of progress counts.
Her
Michaela
This is Liam – a charming little fighter 💛
Liam was born far too early – an extremely premature baby and a brave twin brother. He saved not only his own life, but also his sister's. At birth, Liam weighed just 690 grams.
He spent the first three months in intensive care. Because he was far too weak to breathe and eat on his own, he was on a ventilator and fed expressed breast milk through a feeding tube. After his birth, Liam suffered a severe grade 3 and 4 brain hemorrhage – the beginning of a long fight for survival. Shortly afterward, he and his sister were given an emergency baptism – a moment filled with hope, love, and faith in life.
Even as a tiny baby, Liam had a VP shunt implanted in his head because his body produced too much cerebrospinal fluid. The shunt transports the excess fluid into his abdominal cavity, thus relieving the pressure on his brain. In his young life, he has already had to undergo several operations because the valve frequently malfunctioned.
Liam's brain was so badly damaged by the cerebral hemorrhage that he has bilateral, right-sided spastic-dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Cognitively, there isn't much we can say at the moment, except that I am incredibly grateful that Liam can speak clearly and articulate himself. The neurological disorder (cerebral palsy) leads, among other things, to spasticity.
Spasticity is a muscle tone disorder in which the muscles are excessively tense and cannot relax normally. This constant tension leads to the muscles shortening and stiffening over time. Due to cerebral palsy, he cannot stand or walk independently. His right hand is also impaired and serves only as an assistive hand.
But despite all these challenges, Liam never gives up. Every day he fights anew – with courage, diligence, and an impressive zest for life. He regularly undergoes physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and hippotherapy. To reduce his increased muscle tone and maintain muscle mass, he received several injections of botulinum toxin into his legs. Unfortunately, this therapy is no longer effective for him.
He uses a wheelchair, but practices walking with his mother every day – step by step. Whether it's wearing his orthotics, practicing sitting stably in a yoga position, or "bunny hopping" (a crawling form) – Liam never gives up.
Liam constantly tries out different walkers to practice walking. But it works best with the support of his mom/adult: he leans against her thighs while she holds his arms – this makes him feel secure and allows him to practice step by step. Behind these small improvements lies years of hard training.
Liam is a cheerful, curious, and outgoing boy. He is passionate about anything that moves or rolls. Animals make his eyes light up – whether on land or in water.
With his willpower, his diligence and his zest for life, he is a
A true role model – for all of us. 💛
With your support, we can help him get the therapy he so desperately wants and needs to achieve his goals, both big and small.
🙏 Every donation helps Liam continue to laugh, learn and live – as carefree as possible.
This is Malou – a miracle with a big heart 💗
Malou, just like her twin brother Liam, was born far too early. Weighing in at just 640 grams, her life began – delicate, fragile, yet full of fighting spirit.
From the very first second, Malou fought for her life. She was far too weak to breathe on her own. She received countless medications, was on a ventilator, and fed her mother's milk through a feeding tube. Naturally, she too was monitored day and night. Malou "communicated" with her mother through the monitor, which registered every tiny beep. Every signal was a silent cry for help, and every time, her mother was immediately there to protect her.
Unlike her brother, Malou didn't suffer a brain hemorrhage, but she had to fight hard with her lungs and a patent ductus arteriosus for a very long time. Day after day, week after week, she rose to the challenges and demonstrated incredible strength.
Today, Malou is 5 years old. She has undergone many hours of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy – and has mastered a large part of her journey with courage and patience, but also with a great deal of uncertainty and self-doubt. In addition, Malou is also what is known as a "shadow child," because her mother is a single parent and her brother Liam needs a lot of support due to his physical disability. This is difficult for a small child with a sensitive soul to cope with, as Malou was also extremely premature and is an independent 5-year-old who needs a lot of attention, affection, time, and love. Even though Malou often has to take a back seat, she doesn't hold a grudge against her brother – she loves Liam more than anything and supports him with a loving heart. However, her daily life is characterized by having to focus attention on herself in other ways.
Malou is intelligent, inquisitive, and very conscientious. She is rather reserved around strangers, but expresses her feelings openly and honestly – which many people don't approve of, as she can become angry or upset very quickly, for example, if she doesn't understand something.
Her great passions are painting and making music – these allow her to freely express her thoughts and emotions. Animals mean a great deal to her, especially during her equine-assisted psychotherapy, which helps her find peace in her stressful daily life (with its many therapies and appointments). These moments of one-on-one care are invaluable to her – they make her feel truly seen, and that is exactly what her little soul needs so much.
Malou is a quiet miracle – sensitive, strong, and full of love. 💗
With your support, we would also like to give Malou the attention, encouragement, and moments she so richly deserves.
🙏 Every donation helps Malou to continue growing, dreaming and shining – just like the special girl she is.
Our goal? - 30,000 euros
We have a clear goal in mind: to raise €30,000 to enable Liam and Malou to undergo two weeks of dolphin therapy and to ensure the necessary support for the entire family. Your donation can make a real difference.
What do we need your help with?
The total costs:
Two weeks of intensive therapy (Monday to Friday) by specialized professionals (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists)
Workshops for parents to sustainably support the success of the therapy and to learn how to deal with the situation.
Accommodation and flights for the patients (Liam & Malou)
Accommodation and flights for accompanying person
Important to know: I will be covering my own food expenses during this time. Every donated euro will therefore go directly towards therapy and travel costs to ensure the best possible care.
How can you help?
Every contribution, whether large or small, brings us closer to our goal.
Donate directly to the donation account via the QR code.
Share this fundraising appeal in your network (social media, email, word of mouth) to reach more people.
We are incredibly grateful for any form of support and sympathy.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
With kind regards
Michaela with Liam & Malou
Current revenues on
to the donation account:
2,000.00 euros
New information in January, I'm curious myself.
Why dolphin therapy?
Why did I choose the Curaçao Therapy Center?
Why dolphin therapy is so important for Liam:
🐬 1. Promoting motor skills & muscle relaxation
The interaction with the dolphins and the warm seawater help Liam to regulate his muscle tension (reduce spasticity) and to playfully improve his coordination and balance.
💬 2. Enormous increase in motivation
Dolphins have a strong emotionally motivating effect on children with cerebral palsy. The positive interaction improves Liam's attention and concentration, and creates lasting, positive therapeutic experiences.
🌊 3. Holistic sensory experience
The program in Curaçao combines water activities with sensory, linguistic, and motor development. The simultaneous stimulation of movement, sound, and touch strengthens Liam's body awareness.
🧑⚕️ 4. Professional interdisciplinary support
A team of specialized physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists provides individualized support throughout the therapy. Progress is documented, and specific exercises for home practice are provided.
🌴 5. Positive environment for the whole family
Curaçao offers a relaxed, accessible environment. The pleasant climate and calm sea reduce stress for the whole family and optimally support Liam's therapeutic progress.
Why dolphin therapy is so important for Malou:
🐬 1. Strengthening self-esteem
Dolphins approach Malou openly and without judgment. This unconditional acceptance strengthens her self-confidence and gives her the feeling of being important and seen – especially valuable for a "shadow child" who often feels in the background.
💞 2. Emotional healing & positive relationships
The intense, trusting interaction creates emotional closeness. This positive experience helps Malou process feelings like loneliness and can restore her trust in emotional bonds.
🌊 3. Stress reduction and emotional regulation
The interplay of water, movement, and the calming presence of the dolphins reduces inner tension. Malou can relax and playfully develop self-soothing strategies.
4. Promoting social skills
Through shared, safe exercises, Malou can practice empathy and cooperation. She experiences that relationships can be enjoyable and gradually builds social security.
🌴 5. Holistic healing in a safe environment
Curaçao offers a mindful, stress-free environment that addresses body, mind, and soul. This holistic experience can restore emotional stability and joy to Malou in the long term.
Differences from other dolphin therapies
(e.g. Mexico/Türkiye):
Multidisciplinary team: At the Curaçao Dolphin Therapy Center (CDTC), a team from various disciplines (physiotherapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and behavioral therapists) works closely together. Therapy programs are individually tailored, and the entire team meets weekly to discuss patient progress .
Integration into a comprehensive concept : Dolphin-assisted therapy (DAT) in Curaçao is not just swimming with dolphins, but a comprehensive, two-week program. Patients work with the dolphins daily , both in therapy rooms and in the water . The dolphin serves as a powerful motivator , making the exercises playful and encouraging patient participation.
Family involvement: The family is closely integrated into the therapy process. Regular meetings , joint exercises , and workshops take place to ensure that the newly learned skills can be further applied and reinforced in the home environment. This holistic approach aims for sustainable progress.
Research and Therapy Center: The CDTC is not only a therapy center but also a research institution (Curaçao Dolphin Therapy & Research Center). The combination of therapy and research helps to continuously evaluate and further develop the methods.
Motivation and environment: The unique setting of the Caribbean island, with its warm temperatures and the sea, contributes to a relaxed atmosphere that can positively influence the success of the therapy. Patients are often very motivated to interact with the dolphins and complete tasks, which facilitates the therapy.
Conclusion
While the basic method of dolphin therapy – using dolphins to motivate and improve various skills – is also practiced in other countries such as Mexico and Turkey, the center in Curaçao distinguishes itself through its particularly structured, multidisciplinary, and family-oriented approach. It offers an intensive, holistic program that goes beyond simply swimming and aims for sustainable development.
SPENDEN
I deliberately chose the official donation account of the association – for good reason:
Transparency is extremely important to me. A registered association guarantees that every donated euro arrives safely and that the use of funds is strictly regulated and audited.
Unlike private GoFundMe campaigns, where oversight is often lacking and donations are not tax-deductible, this association offers security . Here you will receive an official donation receipt.
Together we will take the safe, transparent path.
Important NOTE :
To ensure that your donation is correctly allocated, we urge you to use only the official donation account of the association delfine therapieren menschen eV .
Please always include Liam and Malou Hoke in the payment reference of your transfer. Only with this specific reference can your donation be correctly recorded and used for the project.
Information regarding your donation receipt :
If you wish to claim your donation as a tax deduction, please note the following:
For donations up to €300: Your bank statement or deposit slip serves as simplified proof of donation and is accepted by the tax office. A separate certificate is not required.
For donations over €300: The association will issue an official donation receipt upon request for donations of €300 or more. They simply need your full address.
Donation account:
Dolphins Therapy People Association
IBAN: DE52 3005 0110 0020 0024 24
SWIFT-BIC: DUSSDEDDXXX
Bank: Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf
Purpose: Donation for Liam and Malou Hoke
Simply scan with your banking app , enter the amount you wish to donate and transfer the money.
Who is delfine therapieren menschen eV?
The association "delfine therapieren menschen eV" is a unique non-profit aid organization in Germany. Its central goal is to support children and adults with physical and mental disabilities in experiencing animal-assisted therapy with dolphins.
The organization was founded in Düsseldorf in 1996 and was originally called dolphin aid eV. It was renamed to its current name in 2021.
Since its founding, the association has supported and cared for more than 4,500 people in this form of intensive therapy.
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Images / News
November 2025 and older
Together we are strong – the children love these short breaks with their bikes/tricycles. Liam enjoys his time on the tricycle because he can move around and park himself :)
Liam during hippotherapy. At the end of the therapy session, the horse is usually fed.
Lokomat training is a robot-assisted gait therapy in which Liam is strapped in and can thus train his walking ability. After this intensive session (Monday to Friday for 3 weeks), Liam walked much more upright.
On the way
in the tram
in Munich
The moment has finally arrived: Malou is enjoying her equine-assisted psychotherapy. After a year and a half of watching – during which Liam was always the center of attention and got to ride on Thursdays – Malou has been enjoying her own time out since spring 2025. The one-on-one support and the time spent with the horses are incredibly good for her soul.
Standing every day is incredibly important for Liam. Because he can't move around on his own, his hip bone is slipping further and further out of the socket. We're trying to counteract this with daily standing.
An article about us from the Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) Gute Werke eV. (December 23, 2025)
Carefree time together
Unfortunately, enjoying life is not possible for us.
This happens far too rarely.
On her fourth birthday in the summer of 2024, Malou had her first experience with horses. When she was allowed to ride a pony, her face showed pure joy and pride. She was overjoyed to finally be able to ride.