Meet Elsie.

I have been watching Ellen Stumbo's blog for quite a while now.

She has an amazing family, with a beautiful story.

She had a brilliant idea of making a community for families who live with Cerebral Palsy.

I love this.

One thing that I have found, there is not much in a way of support system when it comes to CP.

I would love to meet other families with these Angels.

I would love to meet adults who live with Cerebral Palsy....maybe give me an insight of what Elsie's future might look like.

I am joining in on this community.....so bear with me as I re-introduce our family for those in my new community who will be stopping by our blog.

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Meet Elsie Rose.
Elsie is 5 years old.

This little girl is the sunshine of our lives.

She has amazed us her whole life....and continues to amaze us every day.

She has a smile that you can't help to smile back at.

Elsie is loved and adored by her brother and sisters.

As well as her Mom and Dad.

She is our inspiration and our motivation.

We are always looking for ways to make her life as good as it can be.

And she is always willing to give our ideas a try.

Always with that smile.

Elsie has Cerebral Palsy.
Elsie can do many things.....but a lot of things are still hard for her.

She works so very hard to do the things that we all take advantage of.
She is on the milder end of CP, but still, she has her challenges to overcome.
CP is very different for anyone who has it.
There is a very broad spectrum.

I don't know if we are doing everything right with her.

I often wonder if we do too much for her.
She can't dress herself.
She can't get on the toilet herself, although she is potty trained :)
She can walk beautifully, but needs some help when we leave the comfort of our home.
Her startle reflex is very sensitive, so she does fall a lot due to that.
Poor girls legs are covered in bruises.
We stretch, and practice stairs, and try to bend and squat.

I want to help her be as self-reliant as possible.

But some things just aren't possible, not yet anyway.

I am often worried about how she will be treated in school.

She is in preschool right now through the school system.

They love....no ADORE her there.

The kids, the teachers.
Elsie has an amazing support system.
So many people who have become a part of our family because of their connection with her and all they do to make her life better.

Everyone is so great with her.

Like I said, that smile is contagious.

Even the crossing guards can't help but smile at her.

But I also worry that people will assume she is not smart based on how she speaks, or how she walks.
That breaks my heart.

This girl is a smart cookie.

She is clever and funny.

And she enjoys life.

I can't help but think that as she grows up.....people will feel her sweet spirit.

Like they do now.

And love her and cherish her for all that she has to offer.
And for the inspiration she is.

Just like we do.

I hope we can give her the best life possible.
She sure makes ours amazing.

Also......

If you would like to read Elsie's story, I documented it earlier this year in these 4 post.

Thanks for stopping by :)

 Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 .

And a video of her latest accomplishment here :)

We sure love this girl!