Our son didn't take his first steps until he was four years old.

He was born with spina bifida.  He was diagnosed with it at birth and went through his very first surgery at just a few days of age.  (He's since had over 20 more.)  We were devastated: all the dreams we had for Ace Quinton were dashed to pieces.  It was the worst possible moment of our lives.

Yet we remained hopeful.  We would do all we could to help him.  Seeing our son go through painful physical therapy was unbearable at times, but we knew it was necessary.  Eventually Ace learned that, too.  Ace was soon determined to learn to walk: we could see it in his eyes and on his face.

He was (and still is) our brave little soldier.

Ace is now six.  He has been walking for two years.  His walking isn't the greatest (he oftentimes stumbles and falls), but he is still walking (with help).  He doesn't let the fact that he is on crutches or wears braces on his legs stop him from doing what he enjoys.  Ace loves to play baseball (on a team for children with special needs), swim, dance, ride his bike (it's a special bike for kids who have disabilities), go on walks with us, play with his friends after school or on weekends, sing, and go to church every Sunday (and Wednesday).  Ace is a very busy, well-adjusted, happy little boy.

Sometimes kids do pick on him or stare, but more often than not, kids are very accepting of Ace.  We could have not asked for a better son than our Ace Quinton.  We feel incredibly blessed to have him in our lives.

All parents should be as fortunate as we are.