{"id":140378,"date":"2024-03-25T09:00:04","date_gmt":"2024-03-25T13:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=140378"},"modified":"2024-03-25T09:26:39","modified_gmt":"2024-03-25T13:26:39","slug":"two-sisters-one-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/two-sisters-one-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"Two Sisters, One Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Physical therapy doctoral student <strong>Gabrielle \u201cGabie\u201d Owens \u201923<\/strong> and junior social work student Zoe Owens are often spotted together on the UCF campus where they take classes in the same building, &nbsp;work out at the Recreation and Wellness Center, and are both enrolled in the College of Health Professions and Sciences. The sisters, just two years apart in age, are close friends. But they\u2019re also bonded by an unexpected and traumatic medical event that has shaped their aspirations for careers helping others with their physical and mental well-being.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Growing up, Gabie and Zoe were typical sisters \u2013 riding bikes, baking and going on picnics together. They shared everything with each other, including their dreams for the future. Gabie saw herself becoming a marine biologist, and Zoe saw herself following in her parents\u2019 footsteps and becoming a nurse.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_140381\" style=\"max-width: 300px;\" class=\"figure float-left\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" class=\"figure-img img-fluid w-100 wp-image-140381 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-2-300x225.jpg\" alt srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-2-534x400.jpg 534w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-2-360x270.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-2.jpg 622w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" class=\"figure-img img-fluid w-100 wp-image-140381 size-medium lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20300%20225%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20300%20225%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-2-534x400.jpg 534w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-2-360x270.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-2.jpg 622w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-2-300x225.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Young Zoe (left) and Gabby &#8217;23 Owens (right)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>But their paths began to change when Zoe was 14 years old and started to experience severe headaches and nausea. With no known cause, her symptoms persisted for a little over a year until April 2017, when she had a minutelong, unexpected seizure.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI called 911, and the ambulance came right away to pick Zoe up with my mom to go to Seattle\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital,\u201d said Gabie. \u201cEveryone was very frazzled. We didn\u2019t know what was going on.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Zoe had another seizure the next day at the hospital. This one, considerably longer than the first, was 10 minutes long. She received an MRI shortly after the seizure ended, and doctors found a benign brain tumor the size of a golf ball at the base of Zoe\u2019s brain stem. It was pilocytic astrocytoma, a low-grade, central nervous system tumor that occurs most commonly in children and young adults.<\/p>\n<p>Following the discovery, Zoe went straight into surgery to remove the mass. Post-surgery, she entered a monthlong coma.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe was just in the hospital bed, not able to move a finger or her toes,\u201d said Gabie. \u201cShe couldn\u2019t stick out her tongue or even blink.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Waking Up<\/h2>\n<p>When Zoe woke up, she began to experience the onset of posterior fossa syndrome \u2013 a condition that causes speech impediments, difficulties in muscle control and coordination, and mood changes. The condition impaired Zoe\u2019s everyday functions.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_140382\" style=\"max-width: 224px;\" class=\"figure float-left\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"224\" height=\"300\" class=\"figure-img img-fluid w-100 wp-image-140382 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-3-224x300.jpg\" alt srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-3-224x300.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-3-597x800.jpg 597w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-3-382x512.jpg 382w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-3-299x400.jpg 299w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-3-269x360.jpg 269w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-3.jpg 651w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 224px) 100vw, 224px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"224\" height=\"300\" class=\"figure-img img-fluid w-100 wp-image-140382 size-medium lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20224%20300%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20224%20300%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 224w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 224px) 100vw, 224px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-3-224x300.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-3-597x800.jpg 597w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-3-382x512.jpg 382w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-3-299x400.jpg 299w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-3-269x360.jpg 269w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-3.jpg 651w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Gabie-and-Zoe-Owens-3-224x300.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Gabby &#8217;23 (left) and Zoe Owens (right)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Following the surgery, Zoe was unable to speak for six months.<\/p>\n<p>She began a multitude of rehabilitative therapies, including speech, physical, occupational and vestibular therapy, to help restore her functions to their previous capabilities.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe had to learn how to do everything again,\u201d said Gabie. \u201cShe had to learn how to eat, how to talk, how to walk, how to balance \u2013 all over again.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t remember much after the surgery,\u201d says Zoe. \u201cBut I remember how much my family was supportive of me during that time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Almost every day after school, Gabie began accompanying Zoe to her therapy appointments, something she would continue to do in the years that followed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI really had to narrow down what was most important in my life, and it was a no-brainer,\u201d says Gabie. \u201cI wanted to be right by her side, holding her hand through it all.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>After years of accompanying her sister to therapies, Gabie began to realize her increasing interest and fascination for one \u2013 physical therapy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was able to see Zoe take her first steps again and that sparked some interest in me,\u201d says Gabie. \u201cI loved how they not only were patient with Zoe, but they also reminded her that she could do it with the right mindset and determination. I knew right then that\u2019s what I wanted to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Looking Forward<\/h2>\n<p>Zoe would miss a year of high school following her surgery, but with the aid of her parents and a paraprofessional, she returned to complete her classes. She was active in student government, serving as the secretary. Never far away, Gabie served as their high school\u2019s executive president.<\/p>\n<p>After graduation, Gabie enrolled at UCF, completing her bachelor\u2019s degree in kinesiology in Spring 2023 and enrolling in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program that summer. Zoe obtained her associate degree at Valencia College and then transferred through DirectConnect to UCF, where she now studies social work.<\/p>\n<p>Zoe, who still experiences challenges with speech and balance, served as a guest speaker in Gabie\u2019s Patient Care Skills class, sharing more about her recovery and demonstrating the assistive devices she uses to maintain her independence. She uses a wheelchair for mobility and a quad cane to assist with her balance. Zoe has chosen a new path to help fulfill her dreams of helping others; she has decided to become a pediatric social worker to help children who have had similar experiences.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI feel as though I still have the opportunity to help people,\u201d says Zoe. \u201cMy dream job is to work in a pediatric department, specifically in pediatric neurology, to help children emotionally with what they\u2019re going through.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn social work, you\u2019re helping people with the emotional aspect, instead of the physical, and that sometimes is most important because without a good mindset or perspective then we probably won\u2019t get anything done,\u201d says Zoe. \u201cYou can have the best OT, PT or doctor, but if your mind isn\u2019t willing then you won\u2019t really get through.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"embed oembed oembed-video d-flex flex-column align-items-center\">\n<div class=\"embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9\"><noscript><iframe title=\"Gabie &amp; Zoe | Two Sisters, One Journey\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pE0i65wxwfo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/noscript><iframe title=\"Gabie &amp; Zoe | Two Sisters, One Journey\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pE0i65wxwfo?feature=oembed\" class=\" lazyload\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Defying Limits<\/h2>\n<p>Beyond serving as professional inspirations to one another, Gabie and Zoe have encouraged each other\u2019s personal growth as well. The two are finding ways to push their limits and test themselves physically. &nbsp;They\u2019re looking to conquer Spartan races \u2013 competitions in which athletes run long distances as well as take on obstacles that require them to scale walls, crawl under barbed wire, and traverse monkey bars.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_140383\" style=\"max-width: 797px;\" class=\"figure mx-auto d-block\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"797\" height=\"448\" class=\"figure-img size-full wp-image-140383 img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Owens-Family-Spartan-Race.jpeg\" alt srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Owens-Family-Spartan-Race.jpeg 797w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Owens-Family-Spartan-Race-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Owens-Family-Spartan-Race-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Owens-Family-Spartan-Race-712x400.jpeg 712w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Owens-Family-Spartan-Race-360x202.jpeg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 797px) 100vw, 797px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"797\" height=\"448\" class=\"figure-img size-full wp-image-140383 img-fluid lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20797%20448%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20797%20448%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 797w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 797px) 100vw, 797px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Owens-Family-Spartan-Race.jpeg 797w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Owens-Family-Spartan-Race-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Owens-Family-Spartan-Race-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Owens-Family-Spartan-Race-712x400.jpeg 712w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Owens-Family-Spartan-Race-360x202.jpeg 360w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Owens-Family-Spartan-Race.jpeg\"><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">The Owens family during a Spartan Race.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In December, Gabie and Zoe spent their winter break completing a Spartan, which consisted of 20 obstacles over a 5K course through terrain covered in heavy mud. After completing a Spartan before with her father, Gabie wanted to do one again. This time though, the race would include the entire family.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAlmost a whole year ago, Zoe was like, \u2018I want to do one,\u2019\u201d said Gabie. \u201cI was like, \u2018Okay, let\u2019s do it. Let\u2019s train for it.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Zoe, who was a track and field athlete before the brain tumor, had begun weightlifting to help with her physical recovery. When the family signed up for the Spartan, the sisters began training regularly together.<\/p>\n<p>Although Zoe was making strides in her physical and fitness goals, her balance was still a concern.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI told her, \u2018We\u2019re going to focus on your balance and on getting you stronger,\u2019\u201d says Gabie.<\/p>\n<p>Zoe didn\u2019t use a wheelchair once during the race.<\/p>\n<p>The only support she had was a gait belt around her waist while she held her father\u2019s and Gabie\u2019s hands. It took the Owens family five hours to complete the race.<\/p>\n<p>More than just a race to test both sisters\u2019 physical abilities, the Spartan allowed Zoe to showcase her progress after years of rehabilitative therapy.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_140384\" style=\"max-width: 293px;\" class=\"figure float-left\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"293\" height=\"225\" class=\"figure-img img-fluid w-100 wp-image-140384 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Owens-Family-Spartan-Race-2.jpg\" alt><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"293\" height=\"225\" class=\"figure-img img-fluid w-100 wp-image-140384 size-full lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20293%20225%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2024\/03\/Owens-Family-Spartan-Race-2.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">The Owens family during a Spartan Race.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThe race was just another thing that I could do to show the improvement I\u2019ve made,\u201d said Zoe. \u201cI was proud of myself because walking is not really in the cards for me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Their next goal is to gradually increase their race distances to complete a 10K and then a 21K.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond the trials and tribulations, Gabie and Zoe have become an inspiration for one another. Not only have they inspired each other to pursue a career in which they can share their stories and help others, but they have also shown what it means to be sisters and best friends through faith, grace and strength.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve truly grown to push each other to be the best versions of ourselves,\u201d said Gabie.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After a shocking medical diagnosis brought them closer together, <strong>Gabie<\/strong> <strong>\u201923<\/strong>\u00a0and Zoe Owens are inspiring each other to follow careers in healthcare.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":140380,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"lazy_load_responsive_images_disabled":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"categories":[12,27],"tags":[16873,17335,10509,14918],"tu_author":[],"class_list":["post-140378","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-student-life","tag-college-of-health-professions-and-sciences","tag-school-of-kinesiology-and-physical-therapy","tag-school-of-social-work","tag-student-life"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v22.3 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Two Sisters, One Journey | University of Central Florida News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"After a shocking 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