Big Wheels!!!

Emmy was blessed with a new set of wheels week before last. Back in November we were nominated by her therapy center for the Oregonian's (our local newspaper) Seasons of Sharing. They feature 20 or so families and organizations. Each one gets to tell their story and supply a wish list. Readers can then donate money to a specific family or organization. On our wish list we put Emmy's wheelchair, a mobile stander (a stand-up wheelchair), catheters, diapers, wipes, and the printing of our Spina Bifida Association brochures. We were blessed beyond belief with everything on our list. Most of the items were distributed in December, just before Christmas, however, the stander just arrived and the wheelchair is arriving on Tuesday.

Emmy's stander is completely adjustable to fit her little body and will grow with her for many years. It is so adjustable that it took nearly four hours to get if fitted to Emmy size. It gives her the opportunity to stand (outside of her braces). In it she can maneuver all over the house and we can take it out and about with us. Last week Emmy and I were in a Mother's Day show at church using her new stander. She is still shy and timid with it out in public but it won't be long and she will be wheeling about just like she does in her Star Car.

We are so thankful for this gift! Unfortunately, the majority of people, who need them, don't get the opportunity to have both a mobile stander and a wheelchair. God provided both for Emmy through the thoughtfulness of the people at Easter Seals, wonderful medical insurance, and the generosity of the readers and the staff of the Oregonian.