After we brought her home, she continued to brighten our lives and grow and develop. The pediatrician had always told us that she would be behind in her milestones because she was premature. To our surprise, Danielle started talking very early, however, she didn’t seem to progress as fast with gross motor skills. She crawled and pulled up to stand, but never took her first steps. At about two years old, the muscle spasticity seemed to kick in and we were given a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy—Spastic Diplegia.

 

From that day, we started physical therapy to help reduce and manage the spasticity and help Danielle walk independently. Over the last four years, she has tried a variety of therapies including Botox injections, oral meds, hyperbarics and we invested in a variety of equipment to help strengthen her legs. We traveled to Canada to have Danielle fitted for a Hart walker. All these things have helped, as she is able to walk with forearm crutches, but Danielle so desperately wants to walk without crutches, and we want that for her as well. 

 

It appears as though our last effort of making this a reality is by a surgery known as dorsal rhizotomy to reduce the spasticity. So, we’re off to St. Louis for an evaluation for the rhizotomy in July. In the meantime, we continue with physical therapy, bike riding and preparing for the first grade.

 

We thank Miracle Flights for helping with the cost of the airfare from San Antonio to St. Louis. We don’t have very much financially right now, but we have been blessed with good friends, wonderful family, and caring people, such as you, who, together, will make Danielle’s dream of walking a reality.

 

Thank you so much!

Danielle’s Family

Texas