Bermudian Miss Dianne Barstowe plans to enjoy cake, music and conversation with relatives and friends some 20 years after doctors predicted she would never be able to do any of that.

Born brain-damaged to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Barstowe, Dianne spent the first two years of her life staring vacantly into space, unable to crawl, let alone walk, and unable to talk.

But thanks to the support of her relatives, friends, and a specialised treatment at the Institute for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia, Dianne now walks, talks, and understands verbal instructions.

And the 21-year-old's mother this week told The Royal Gazette she plans to thank many of the people who made such a "miracle'' possible by holding a reunion next month.

"Without them this would not have been possible,'' Mrs. Marilyn Barstowe said, referring to staff at the Institute in Philadelphia, her relatives, and those who helped with the then-revolutionary treatment.

"If you don't have supportive people, it will not work,'' she added. "We really did not think she would make it.'' Mrs. Barstowe appealed to the public in 1976 for volunteers to help out with her treatment.

The treatment, initiated at the Institute and known as "patterning'', involved an intense physiotherapy and massage manipulation programme designed to teach the damaged brain what it feels like to actually display movement.

Some 60 volunteers took turns physically manipulating Dianne's arms, legs, and head to teach her the movements of crawling, then walking.

The treatments lasted nine hours each day for just over two years, Mrs.

Barstowe recalled.

The programme was co-ordinated by Mrs. Barstowe's late sister Mrs. Louise Francis, and after six months Dianne -- who previously would just lie in bed with a vacant look in her eyes -- was crawling.

But some local doctors and educators scoffed at the treatment, calling it unnecessary and expensive.

Education Officer for Special Education at the time, Mr. Victor Garcia said Dianne might have made the improvements regardless of the treatments she received.

However, with all the gloom and doom predictions the Barstowes did not give up on their daughter, and today they said they are just as optimistic about her future.

"Today she is doing as well as can be expected under the circumstance,'' Mrs.

Barstowe said. "Dianne is a fighter. She is happy, she has a lively personality and she loves music.'' Dianne attended the Heard Chapel Nursery school before going on to the Friendship Vale School for the mentally and physically handicapped and later the Devon Lane School.

She spends her weekdays at St. Brendan's Hospital's Bay View Cottage for semi-dependent patients.

Mrs. Anne Bennett, who supervises the Bay View Cottage, said she believed that Dianne would not have been as far along as she is now if she had not received the treatments and support when she was younger.

"Children like Dianne need that extra bit of love and attention,'' Mrs.

Barstowe said. "It really took a lot of love and support. And we love her dearly.'' The reunion is scheduled to take place on July 9 at a venue to be confirmed.

The Barstowes are asking all the volunteers to RSVP by the June 26 by calling Mrs. Barstowe at 292-5691.

MIRACLE COMEBACK -- Mr. Charles Barstowe and Mrs. Marilyn Barstowe are organising a reunion for all those that helped with their daughter, Dianne (centre).