It was a special evening as Adria, Johanna and I got together with a family we had randomly met months before at a local festival. We had walked past a sweet, young girl with leg braces sitting on the curb next to her wheelchair eating some chicken fingers.
We said "Hello" and Adria was pleased to learn that she and the girl named Mallory had much in common. They were both 7 years old, liked the color pink, and were born with Spina Bifida! Mallory's mom and I were excited to discover we live less than 30 minutes apart, so we made plans to get together. And 3 months later we finally did!
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| Mallory and Adria meet at the Apple-Scrapple festival in October |
Since that day, Adria has talked about Mallory often. It really made an impression on her to meet another girl like her. She doesn't have any local young friends with spina bifida, and she doesn't really remember the SB friends we had met in Indianapolis.
More often lately, Adria sighs and gets sad about the fact that she's the only one at her school that has to where leg braces and can't go to the bathroom like the other kids. Being with Mallory on Saturday night was a special treat for all of us. And we found the girls have other things in common...they LOVE Shopkins and Pizza!!!
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| Shopkins...they're all the rage with little girls today! |
We went out to dinner and while Adria and Mallory enjoyed their slices of pizza, Johanna got along well with her 5 year old younger brother and I enjoyed talking with her mom Nikki.
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| Mallory, Mitchell, Johanna and Adria have fun at dinner together. |
It's kind of great to be able to talk with another mom who completely understands and has experienced the broad spectrum of things associated with a child who has spina bifida - Level 2 ultrasounds, hydrocephalus and shunts, back and head surgeries, AFOs (leg braces), catheterization options, Peristeen bowel program, urinary tract infections, wheelchair fitting, needing diapers at school, urodynamics studies, and so much more! We could totally relate and shared ideas and experiences.
Mallory is several months older than Adria, so she is in second grade. She can get around at home with her walker and primarily uses her wheelchair when in public. In 2014 Mallory was the Eastern Shore Ambassador for the March of Dimes organization that raises funds and awareness for babies born prematurely and/or with birth defects.
After dinner, we watched the musical production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" at a local high school. Adria and Mallory sat side by side and enjoyed the show.
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| Two girls enjoying the show...and comparing their AFO styles (leg braces) |
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| The adventurous younger siblings had fun but didn't sit still too well :) |
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| Mallory says hi to "Sally" from the Charlie Brown show |
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| Johanna poses with PigPen |
Just before leaving Mallory's home, I took Adria to the bathroom to catheterize her - we have to about every 4 hours during the day, which is the same for Mallory. When I was taking care of Adria, she looked at me with a smile and said, "I bet Mallory knows what we're doing, since she has to cath too." Simple things like this, knowing that she has a friend who understands what her life is like, really meant a lot to Adria.
And so Adria had her official BEST DAY EVER...for now.
Today, January 20th is the "International Day of Acceptance" encouraging our society to continue embracing people of all abilities and becoming more educated on how to empower and support them and their families. I'm believing for great opportunities throughout life for these 2 precious girls!
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