My daughter, Poppy (short for Lollipop) Morgana, took her first steps today.  After years of wondering, she finally mastered her first wobbly, halting steps between two crutches attached to her elbows.

Poppy was born with spina bifida.  She was born paralyzed from her waist on down to her feet.  She has very limited feeling from below the waist on down.  Up until today, Poppy spent most of her time in her wheelchair.  It was a monumental achievement, not only for her, but for us, her family.

Poppy is five.  In the fall, she will begin kindergarten, where she will be "mainstreamed" with the regular (nonhandicapped) kids.  Poppy was our "unexpected surprise" after we'd already had twin boys (Max and Mac) ten years before Poppy came into the world (they are fifteen).  We have three children now: our fifteen-year-old twin sons and Lollipop (aka "Poppy), aged five.

We know there will be days where Poppy will fall or rebel against her therapies or us having to take care of her, but we are very patient with our daughter.  We will do anything we can to support our little one so that she will have the best life she can ever experience.

We plan on getting her some hot pink (or electric orange) crutches for Christmas.  (The ones she has now are getting pretty worn out, but she still insists on using them.)  She will suspect nothing until Christmas morning, when she opens up her special surprise from Santa Claus.  Until then, Poppy will have to use her current pair until they fall apart or she grows tired of them.  The therapists (and us) will continue to work with her as she becomes more sure of herself in her walking.

This is certainly a red-letter day for us!  To celebrate, we will be leaving within the hour to go to Dairy Queen, where we will treat our daughter to a Blizzard treat (her favorite!).  Today is a day to rejoice and praise the Lord for His goodness upon our lives and in the life of our little girl!