A mother writes about her young daughter who lives with physical disablity on a daily basis and the love they share for each other.
My name is Cindy Lou Snyder. I live in Ponca City, Oklahoma, with my young daughter, Eternity Faith, who's six (she'll be seven in July, on July 4th). Eternity is my light, my world, my hope for living.
I would do anything for that girl. I love her so much.
I'm divorced. Working two jobs, just so's I can provide for Eternity and myself. It's hard, but so far I've managed to do alright in this world.
Eternity is the only child I have. She also happens to be physically disabled, so life for her is especially hard. Yet she is full of joy, is always happy, always smiling, always singing.
Nothing bothers her; she is one of the happiest kids I know.
Eternity was born with spina bifida. That means her spinal cord didn't form right while in the womb; as a result, she was born with a grapefruit sized lump on the middle part of her back; she was born paralyzed from just above the hips on down. She was born with clubfeet, and also had an enlarged head (hydrocephalus). She had her first surgery at just a few days old; she just had her latest one last month. She's still recovering.
Eternity can walk, but with a wheeled walker and braces on her legs. She may eventually graduate to forearm crutches once she recovers from the surgery. (Her spine was starting to twist, so the doctors had to put rods in it to straighten it; she now has to wear a cumbersome back brace to keep her from moving too much as she mends.) It's hard because even with her disability, she's such an active little girl.
When she's recovered from her surgery, she'll continue to learn to stand on crutches. The therapist got her a pair of bright pink Lofstrand (forearm) crutches; she's been working with her, teaching her to stand on them. It's scary for her, but she is excited that she will soon be walking without the walker. It's a new adventure for her; she's thrilled to death! So am I; I share in her joy!
I don't know why I was blessed with a child like Eternity, but ever since she's been in my world, I have been breaking my neck for her. I don't mind it though; I love her too much. I would die for her; that's how strong our love is for one another. She needs me. I need her. Case closed.
Eternity is like any other little girl: that is, between surgeries or hospital stays (or doctor's appointments), she loves to play dressup (she adores playing princess or house), go to school, color in her coloring books, draw, paint, write stories (she is very smart, according to her teachers; they comment on her pristine behavior and her schoolwork), read, and go to the zoo or amusement park. She loves the rollercoasters (but is too small to ride them; still, she gets a thrill hearing the other riders on the thrilling rollercoasters, watching the cars zoom by like rockets as they negotiate the hills and turns), and she loves the music from the merry-go-round.
Her favorite animal is the cheetah. In fact, the last time we went to the zoo, a worker got her a stuffed cheetah; she now sleeps with it every night upon going to bed. It's cute to see her holding "Fred" (that's what she named the cheetah) in her arms and snoring like a baby kitten. I smile every time I see her sleeping; she looks like an angel.
Well, I have to get ready to go to work now; my mother's here to watch over Eternity. I will write in here again; stay tuned for more about Eternity!
Love, Cindy Lou Snyder (Eternity Faith's mother), Ponca City, Oklahoma.
What a beautiful name...Eternity, a divine name indeed! Beautiful write...enjoyed this so very much, anxious to read more upcoming stories about Cindy and Eternity.
Blessings,
Joyce Bowling
Reviewed by d. k
5/5/2007
I love the name "Eternity"! This child sounds like an angel with a Mother who loves her child. Wonderful write, an excellent introduction to Cindy Lou and her daughter Eternity.
A great story about a little girl with Spina Bifida. If your story were true instead of imagined, I would have to say how wonderful it is that according to your statemen: "Nothing bothers her; she is one of the happiest kids I know."
I imagine a lot of disabled children have learned to choose happiness a minute at a time.
Wonderful write about a terrible disease. Your story was not only heartwarming it shed light on what a patient and the parents of someone living with SB endure. Thanks for giving us such a powerful insight into their lifes.
Reflections and Nature Watercolors is a collection of Margaret's spontaneous positive thoughts in celebrating and reflecting on life and her nature watercolors.
My name is Cindy Lou Snyder. I live in Ponca City, Oklahoma, with my young daughter, Eternity Faith, who's six (she'll be seven in July, on July 4th). Eternity is my light, my world, my hope for living. 
