YAY Eden! She looks like she's having a blast. So happy for her! My daughter, Romy, is currently in the process to get evaluated for CP, but after seeing Eden and seeing how happy, well adjusted and fun she is, I know no matter the outcome, she'll be just fine. Your family is such a huge inspiration. Your girls are awesome!
It is so neat to see her bumping around the lawn! We've been trying to get our daughter a power chair for almost 2 years now. Seeing Eden's joy at her newfound independence reminds me that the wait and the work will definitely be worth it. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, that's so beautiful! What a huge joy for Eden, and for all of you, to play on the grass and laugh and zoom around and have fun together. And I love that it comes in pink! Do you know the picture book by Robert Munsch called "Zoom!"? A little girl called Loretta goes shopping for a new wheelchair, test-drives a few that are "too slow", and she wants the fastest souped-up 90-speed one with racing stripes and chrome tailpipes! She goes so fast she gets a speeding ticket, and takes her injured brother to the hospital. It's an awesome story. Your girls would probably enjoy it, and it would be cool to share with the other kids at school in the fall. Congratulations Eden, and best wishes for a great summer for all of you.
Tue Jul 01, 01:55:00 AM EDT
Anonymous said...
That is a very bumpy yard that you have. The koala look fab and Eden - what a power princess she is. Thanks for sharing.
Tue Jul 01, 05:20:00 AM EDT
Anonymous said...
BEAUTIFUL! How wonderful for Eden, and how wonderful for you to see the glee in her face!
Tue Jul 01, 07:23:00 AM EDT
Anonymous said...
there's nothing better than seeing a child on the go for the first time! she's awesome! you can see how much fun eden's having, and holland looks like she's in her glory, having eden to chase her around! you guys are the parents i wish all my students had! holland and eden are incredible!
Mama Terapeuta, Unfortunately, if you could get it for that price, you'd be getting a good deal. I saw one with everything standard for about $10,000USD online. Eden's, with customized seating and some special options, would retail at about $26,000USD. I saw the bill with my own eyes. Pure insanity! Luckily, our medical insurance is paying for it, but getting the approval took a lot of work and a lot of time. The insurance companies have special contracted prices, so they won't come close to paying the full 26K. They'll probably pay more like 15K... Billie
Way to go Eden! The look on her face in the video is preicless, it made me tear up. I'm so happy for her!
Tue Jul 01, 02:39:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
That was absolutely beautiful. Glad you posted a video. You should send it to the insurance company that finally agreed to pay for it after all that mess you had to go through.
Truly awesome!! Thanks for sharing Eden's joy and excitement. What fun the girls will have "running" around the bumpy backyard!
Tue Jul 01, 04:27:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
THAT IS SO GREAT!! love it! thanks for sharing, i am so happy for ms. eden. i can't wait to see it for myself when i come home in a few!
love, lis
Tue Jul 01, 06:05:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
Is your goal with all your videos to make us cry?? Now she can keep up with all the little ones having summer fun! I can't wait to see her go go go and tell her bullit will be over to chase her soon! Luv Liz
as an early intervention/early childhood PT, your review of equipment and its impact on a day-to-day family life are priceless! my patients won't always tell me exactly how it is.
seeing your little girl zipping around is amazing. this is a beautiful thing! best of luck! --liz
This is such a great video...love the song, love the look on Eden's face (and Holland's, too) as they run around together with their dad. I'm so glad I looked at this today as we were just told today to consider thinking about a wheelchair for Hannah at some point. Seeing how happy and excited she is to be on the move makes me know it will be ok. Thanks, Billie.
Just watched the video with my Boo Boo (actually, your name sake) and she loved it. Our yellow Koala is due every day. We loved the trial period, it is a wonderful chair. And it is a whole new world opening up, isn't it. We drove off the footpath in the grass, and when we went to grandma's house Boo Boo drove into every driveway (with a cheeky grin on her face) we walked past - just because she could (and i told her she couldn't just drive into people's gardens). Wonderul. Worth every bloody cent. Enjoy - hope you can fit it in the car?
I feel like I have watched your girls grow up on this site and I am so proud of Eden and so thrilled for her! This is truly a momentous occasion for her and I am all emotional just thinking about what a bright and wide open future she has thanks to you and her dad! You are fabulous parents and your girls are so lucky to have so much love!
Wed Jul 02, 08:31:00 AM EDT
Anonymous said...
So great! So cute to see the girls chasing eachother around in the yard! Amy
Watch out Holland, Eden is now unstoppable. Eden is just beaming with pride. What a fitting song it is a whole new world for her, she can get to wherever her heart desires.
Eli was sitting on my lap watching this with me and said, "Mommy, that Eden girl look super happy!". I completely agree. Congrats Eden on your new pink wheels.
Eden, that is one cool set of wheels! Have a blast.
Wed Jul 02, 08:58:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
Wow looks like a lot of fun. And what a great way for her to have more freedom and doing stuff herself. I also have a son with cerebral palsy. Does she have a cochlear implant also? I would really love to talk to you. I have multiples also and that were born very early also. We seem to have alot in common. my email is smacky81@yaho.com Jaclyn
That was so wonderful to see! Eden looks SO happy to have her mobility and I agree with you that she is one smart cookie who had those controls figured out much faster than I ever would have.
What a fabulous early birthday present for Eden...we are so proud of her!
WAY TO GO!! She looks so happy with her new found independents! You and your husband also deserve a huge hug for all your hard work getting her what she needed!
As I was watching a tears were streaming down my face, Kyle said "Mommy, why are you crying? That's my friend! Mommy, is that Holland or Eden?" I cried harder!
I am so happy for Eden. Wow! Your video really touched us. She has so much life in her. Micropreemies have amazing strength. May God be with Holland, Eden, and your entire family now and beyond. Love, Renee - the mom in St. Joe's NICU
My little girl and i have watched the video about 15 times now. She points at Eden and says "me". Points at the wheelchair and says "me car" and points at her wheelchair. When Eden sticks her tongue out, she gets a response here, and when she pushes the horn, so does Boo Boo in reply. Hilarious. This morning, she drove her daddy to the computer to come and see the video. Two girls sticking their tongues out while enjoying mobility, one in the US, and one in Australia. Don't you just love the internet? Thanks for posting this!
Sat Jul 05, 05:46:00 AM EDT
Anonymous said...
The joy on Eden's face can light up the room! What a great video! I love watching the girls in the yard! Yay Eden! Love, Dawn
Oh Billie - I have tears of joy for your daughter! Yay, Eden! Well done, mom - I know how hard you fought for that wheelchair - I'm sure every word, every letter, every call, every meeting was worth it when you filmed that video.
I've been reading your blog for forever; the girls were infants.
I'm an OTR in another state. Wheelchairs are among my favorite things to do and that video is exactly why. There is something so perfect in seeing that kind of joy.
I fought tears the whole way, especially when Holland is running to keep up with Eden. And Holland looked so happy too, which is also great.
I had goosebumps and tears in my eyes watching that video! How awesome to see how happy Eden is whizzing around in her chair. I love the pink too! Congrats to Eden! I also loved seeing Zippo running around out there with you guys. ha ha
Absolutely amazing! I love taht video! A perfect song for a perfect little girl! I was crying happy tears as I watched her smile! She is now so independent with that! You are amazing parents (from the little I have read) and times like this must make all of the highs and lows worth it! Absolutely amazing! Your combined love for your kids clearly shines through their smiles!
Been awhile since I visited Billi (life has been crazy, computer melted down...you know how it goes :-)).. I watched this video twice and I'm still all teary.. Yay Eden :-)
I just found your blog after 'losing' the blog address with our last computer. The video is priceless! So happy for her! :)
Wed Sep 03, 02:21:00 AM EDT
Anonymous said...
I somehow stumbled upon your site - she looks so happy!
I have a twin sister, we were also premature - in 1968! I came out first, my sister was breach, and the doctors ended up moving her around in order to come out right - 30 minutes later she arrived!
We weighed 7.5 pounds together at birth and now we are 40!
Looking forward to seeing their progress!
Fri Nov 14, 03:57:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
wow. that made me cry. my cousin (6) also has cerebral palsy (between level 4 and 5), but her parents have always refused the majority of equipment, so the poor girl is left with nothing but a manual wheelchair, which she is not strong enough to move, so she sits there while her twin runs around. and unlike eden, her cerebral palsy was not caused by prematurity, but by the stupidity of her mother who chose to have a natural birth with one baby (the one with cp) in breech, instead of a c-section. eden is so lucky to have such wonderful parents who make these things available to her.
Fri Feb 27, 06:33:00 PM EST
More than 8 months after beginning the process, we finally have it! The Taj Mahal of motorized pediatric wheelchairs. It's a Koala by Permobil, and it's PINK! Eden has big plans for adding princess decals, and already calls it her "princess wheelchair."
Considering that she has a difficult time making her body do what she wants it to do, she has a real knack for figuring out how to make things GO. The power chair is no different. She figured out how to get it moving in no time, and was flying over our very bumpy backyard with glee as soon as we got it home.
It makes me so happy to see her able to "run" around on the lawn with the rest of us.
Congratulations Eden! You are a Princess with Power!
"She's Got Power!"
62 Comments -
The look on her face is priceless congrats Eden
Tue Jul 01, 12:04:00 AM EDT
YAY Eden! She looks like she's having a blast. So happy for her! My daughter, Romy, is currently in the process to get evaluated for CP, but after seeing Eden and seeing how happy, well adjusted and fun she is, I know no matter the outcome, she'll be just fine. Your family is such a huge inspiration. Your girls are awesome!
Tue Jul 01, 12:07:00 AM EDT
I am SO happy for Eden & for you! What a wonderful invention - and a wonderfully happy little girl driving it! Hurrah!!
Tue Jul 01, 12:08:00 AM EDT
It is so neat to see her bumping around the lawn! We've been trying to get our daughter a power chair for almost 2 years now. Seeing Eden's joy at her newfound independence reminds me that the wait and the work will definitely be worth it. Thanks for sharing!
Tue Jul 01, 12:18:00 AM EDT
That is one amazing little girl!
Congrats Eden!
Tue Jul 01, 12:25:00 AM EDT
Go Eden! That smile on her face had me in tears.
Tue Jul 01, 01:04:00 AM EDT
Look at that joy in her face!! Looks like she loves it!
Tue Jul 01, 01:50:00 AM EDT
Oh, that's so beautiful! What a huge joy for Eden, and for all of you, to play on the grass and laugh and zoom around and have fun together. And I love that it comes in pink!
Do you know the picture book by Robert Munsch called "Zoom!"? A little girl called Loretta goes shopping for a new wheelchair, test-drives a few that are "too slow", and she wants the fastest souped-up 90-speed one with racing stripes and chrome tailpipes! She goes so fast she gets a speeding ticket, and takes her injured brother to the hospital. It's an awesome story. Your girls would probably enjoy it, and it would be cool to share with the other kids at school in the fall.
Congratulations Eden, and best wishes for a great summer for all of you.
Tue Jul 01, 01:55:00 AM EDT
That is a very bumpy yard that you have. The koala look fab and Eden - what a power princess she is. Thanks for sharing.
Tue Jul 01, 05:20:00 AM EDT
BEAUTIFUL! How wonderful for Eden, and how wonderful for you to see the glee in her face!
Tue Jul 01, 07:23:00 AM EDT
there's nothing better than seeing a child on the go for the first time! she's awesome! you can see how much fun eden's having, and holland looks like she's in her glory, having eden to chase her around! you guys are the parents i wish all my students had! holland and eden are incredible!
heather
Tue Jul 01, 07:38:00 AM EDT
How great is that video? i love watching her light up while she's chasing John!
Tue Jul 01, 09:00:00 AM EDT
Wow! I'm so happy for all of you!
Tue Jul 01, 09:08:00 AM EDT
It is WONDERFULL!!!! She makes me want to buy all this things to my girl... Or even move to the US!!
Tue Jul 01, 09:23:00 AM EDT
Umm... Is it really about US$15.000?! Please tell me i'm getting something wrong...
Tue Jul 01, 10:34:00 AM EDT
WOW!! I got tears in my eyes watching how happy she looks!! Congrats Eden!!
Tue Jul 01, 10:40:00 AM EDT
Mama Terapeuta,
Unfortunately, if you could get it for that price, you'd be getting a good deal. I saw one with everything standard for about $10,000USD online. Eden's, with customized seating and some special options, would retail at about $26,000USD. I saw the bill with my own eyes. Pure insanity! Luckily, our medical insurance is paying for it, but getting the approval took a lot of work and a lot of time. The insurance companies have special contracted prices, so they won't come close to paying the full 26K. They'll probably pay more like 15K...
Billie
Tue Jul 01, 10:58:00 AM EDT
Oh my god. Not a chance to buy it here then... Our medical insurance (whic is a good one) covers something like 100 dolars for equipment, oj oj oj.
It's so sad and hard to live in a third world country! I really wonder if moving would make a significant difference in our daughter's life...
Tue Jul 01, 11:37:00 AM EDT
Way to go Eden! The look on her face in the video is preicless, it made me tear up. I'm so happy for her!
Tue Jul 01, 02:39:00 PM EDT
That was absolutely beautiful. Glad you posted a video. You should send it to the insurance company that finally agreed to pay for it after all that mess you had to go through.
Tue Jul 01, 03:44:00 PM EDT
Truly awesome!! Thanks for sharing Eden's joy and excitement. What fun the girls will have "running" around the bumpy backyard!
Tue Jul 01, 04:27:00 PM EDT
THAT IS SO GREAT!! love it! thanks for sharing, i am so happy for ms. eden. i can't wait to see it for myself when i come home in a few!
love, lis
Tue Jul 01, 06:05:00 PM EDT
Is your goal with all your videos to make us cry?? Now she can keep up with all the little ones having summer fun! I can't wait to see her go go go and tell her bullit will be over to chase her soon! Luv Liz
Tue Jul 01, 07:41:00 PM EDT
Gosh. Getting a little misty-eyed over here.
Tue Jul 01, 08:16:00 PM EDT
as an early intervention/early childhood PT, your review of equipment and its impact on a day-to-day family life are priceless! my patients won't always tell me exactly how it is.
seeing your little girl zipping around is amazing. this is a beautiful thing! best of luck!
--liz
Tue Jul 01, 08:37:00 PM EDT
She looks so very happy. That was beautiful I'm glad she got her wheels.
Tue Jul 01, 09:16:00 PM EDT
This is such a great video...love the song, love the look on Eden's face (and Holland's, too) as they run around together with their dad. I'm so glad I looked at this today as we were just told today to consider thinking about a wheelchair for Hannah at some point. Seeing how happy and excited she is to be on the move makes me know it will be ok. Thanks, Billie.
Tue Jul 01, 09:45:00 PM EDT
Isn't it totally cool!! Daniel and Eden can have races now!
I love the pink, very fitting!
Tue Jul 01, 11:09:00 PM EDT
go eden! i love the video -- such a keepsake. i wish i knew how to do videos like you do :) congrats!
Wed Jul 02, 01:29:00 AM EDT
Just watched the video with my Boo Boo (actually, your name sake) and she loved it. Our yellow Koala is due every day. We loved the trial period, it is a wonderful chair. And it is a whole new world opening up, isn't it. We drove off the footpath in the grass, and when we went to grandma's house Boo Boo drove into every driveway (with a cheeky grin on her face) we walked past - just because she could (and i told her she couldn't just drive into people's gardens). Wonderul. Worth every bloody cent. Enjoy - hope you can fit it in the car?
Wed Jul 02, 02:42:00 AM EDT
I feel like I have watched your girls grow up on this site and I am so proud of Eden and so thrilled for her! This is truly a momentous occasion for her and I am all emotional just thinking about what a bright and wide open future she has thanks to you and her dad! You are fabulous parents and your girls are so lucky to have so much love!
Wed Jul 02, 08:31:00 AM EDT
So great! So cute to see the girls chasing eachother around in the yard!
Amy
Wed Jul 02, 09:27:00 AM EDT
Inspiring! Thank you for sharing that video. I have twin boys, also born at 24 weeks. Your daughters are beautiful.
Michelle Hanna, mom to Noah and Jonah
Blog: www.shaneandmichellehanna.blogspot.com
Wed Jul 02, 09:42:00 AM EDT
This totally made me cry! I am so excited for Eden! She is so beautiful and looks so happy in her chair! Glad it finally came! Way to go Eden!!!
Rachel
http://lovefor9.blogspot.com
Wed Jul 02, 01:32:00 PM EDT
Way to go Eden!!!
Wed Jul 02, 03:46:00 PM EDT
Watch out Holland, Eden is now unstoppable. Eden is just beaming with pride. What a fitting song it is a whole new world for her, she can get to wherever her heart desires.
Wed Jul 02, 04:36:00 PM EDT
Eli was sitting on my lap watching this with me and said, "Mommy, that Eden girl look super happy!". I completely agree. Congrats Eden on your new pink wheels.
Wed Jul 02, 07:13:00 PM EDT
Eden, that is one cool set of wheels! Have a blast.
Wed Jul 02, 08:58:00 PM EDT
Wow looks like a lot of fun. And what a great way for her to have more freedom and doing stuff herself. I also have a son with cerebral palsy. Does she have a cochlear implant also? I would really love to talk to you. I have multiples also and that were born very early also. We seem to have alot in common. my email is smacky81@yaho.com
Jaclyn
Wed Jul 02, 09:07:00 PM EDT
beautiful to see...I wish you many more wonderful memories to come. xoxo Jennifer (Hanchon) Klenke
Wed Jul 02, 10:33:00 PM EDT
Woo hoo!
Deborah in Montreal is rooting for you!
Go Eden Go!
Wed Jul 02, 10:36:00 PM EDT
Well this is one of the nicest things I've seen in a while! Yay Eden! She looks awesome.
Thanks for the holiday cheer!
Wed Jul 02, 11:40:00 PM EDT
That was so wonderful to see! Eden looks SO happy to have her mobility and I agree with you that she is one smart cookie who had those controls figured out much faster than I ever would have.
What a fabulous early birthday present for Eden...we are so proud of her!
Thu Jul 03, 01:38:00 AM EDT
WAY TO GO!! She looks so happy with her new found independents! You and your husband also deserve a huge hug for all your hard work getting her what she needed!
Rhonda
Thu Jul 03, 01:17:00 PM EDT
That has got to be one of the most aweseomest things I have seen in quite a while! She looks so happy & wtg on the quick ability to figure it out!
Thanks for making me cry with the song! It was so perfect for her!
Thu Jul 03, 04:23:00 PM EDT
Can you really read all of these comments?
As I was watching a tears were streaming down my face, Kyle said "Mommy, why are you crying? That's my friend! Mommy, is that Holland or Eden?" I cried harder!
Love it and could watch it over and over!
Thu Jul 03, 08:16:00 PM EDT
I am so happy for Eden. Wow! Your video really touched us. She has so much life in her. Micropreemies have amazing strength. May God be with Holland, Eden, and your entire family now and beyond.
Love, Renee - the mom in St. Joe's NICU
Thu Jul 03, 11:40:00 PM EDT
Yeah Eden!! What an amzing video! You brought tears to my eyes, lots of VERY happy tears!! Way to go! Enjoy!
Fri Jul 04, 08:36:00 PM EDT
My little girl and i have watched the video about 15 times now. She points at Eden and says "me". Points at the wheelchair and says "me car" and points at her wheelchair. When Eden sticks her tongue out, she gets a response here, and when she pushes the horn, so does Boo Boo in reply. Hilarious. This morning, she drove her daddy to the computer to come and see the video.
Two girls sticking their tongues out while enjoying mobility, one in the US, and one in Australia. Don't you just love the internet?
Thanks for posting this!
Sat Jul 05, 05:46:00 AM EDT
The joy on Eden's face can light up the room! What a great video! I love watching the girls in the yard! Yay Eden!
Love,
Dawn
Sat Jul 05, 05:49:00 PM EDT
Oh Billie - I have tears of joy for your daughter! Yay, Eden! Well done, mom - I know how hard you fought for that wheelchair - I'm sure every word, every letter, every call, every meeting was worth it when you filmed that video.
Girl Power!
Sat Jul 05, 10:18:00 PM EDT
It is so awesome to see her moving in her new chair. I of course was crying also. Glad that all your hard work finally paid off.
Sat Jul 05, 11:37:00 PM EDT
I've been reading your blog for forever; the girls were infants.
I'm an OTR in another state. Wheelchairs are among my favorite things to do and that video is exactly why. There is something so perfect in seeing that kind of joy.
I fought tears the whole way, especially when Holland is running to keep up with Eden. And Holland looked so happy too, which is also great.
Sun Jul 06, 10:56:00 PM EDT
I had goosebumps and tears in my eyes watching that video! How awesome to see how happy Eden is whizzing around in her chair. I love the pink too! Congrats to Eden! I also loved seeing Zippo running around out there with you guys. ha ha
Mon Jul 07, 01:37:00 PM EDT
Absolutely amazing! I love taht video! A perfect song for a perfect little girl! I was crying happy tears as I watched her smile! She is now so independent with that!
You are amazing parents (from the little I have read) and times like this must make all of the highs and lows worth it! Absolutely amazing! Your combined love for your kids clearly shines through their smiles!
Wed Jul 09, 10:18:00 PM EDT
Been awhile since I visited Billi (life has been crazy, computer melted down...you know how it goes :-)).. I watched this video twice and I'm still all teary.. Yay Eden :-)
Sat Jul 19, 12:58:00 PM EDT
I absolutely LOVED this. I hope you don't mind if I add a link to your site from ours.
Sat Jul 19, 05:45:00 PM EDT
Your girls and your family rock!
Came over from 5MFSN.
Sun Jul 20, 03:28:00 PM EDT
awesome job Eden
Mon Jul 21, 07:50:00 PM EDT
I just found your blog after 'losing' the blog address with our last computer. The video is priceless! So happy for her! :)
Wed Sep 03, 02:21:00 AM EDT
I somehow stumbled upon your site - she looks so happy!
I have a twin sister, we were also premature - in 1968! I came out first, my sister was breach, and the doctors ended up moving her around in order to come out right - 30 minutes later she arrived!
We weighed 7.5 pounds together at birth and now we are 40!
Looking forward to seeing their progress!
Fri Nov 14, 03:57:00 PM EST
wow. that made me cry. my cousin (6) also has cerebral palsy (between level 4 and 5), but her parents have always refused the majority of equipment, so the poor girl is left with nothing but a manual wheelchair, which she is not strong enough to move, so she sits there while her twin runs around. and unlike eden, her cerebral palsy was not caused by prematurity, but by the stupidity of her mother who chose to have a natural birth with one baby (the one with cp) in breech, instead of a c-section. eden is so lucky to have such wonderful parents who make these things available to her.
Fri Feb 27, 06:33:00 PM EST