They told us she might never walk...

and look at her now! That's my 8 year old daughter Savanna, the 2ND one in on the left. When she was born 4 weeks early weighing a whopping 4 lbs 4 oz she was diagnosed with severe Hip Displaysia. Basically in English it means her hip sockets weren't formed. In her case at all. She wore a special brace called a Pavlik Harness until she was about 9 months old. Once the brace came off we were told she would probably walk with a limp and have gait problems her entire life. Well her Orthopedic Surgeon obviously didn't know Savanna very well. To say she was off and running would be an understatement! Once she was given the freedom to move around she did just that and never looked back!

This Christmas she is participating in Mountain West Ballet Company's Nutcracker performance as a Bon Bon. This is quite a milestone for as she endured quite painful treatment for Ankle Equinus this year. As if her Hip Displaysia weren't enough right! Well to put it in language we can all understand Ankle Equinus is a condition caused by her Achilles tendons being much too short. Up until this last spring she has never been able to walk flat footed. It was physically impossible for her to walk other than on her tip toes. After being accepted into Shriners Hospital she endured 6 weeks of serial casting and 4 months in custom made braces while they attempted to stretch her tendons. She has now moved onto wearing the braces only at night.

The reason I tell you all of this is just to remind us all that miracles do happen everyday. It was a miracle that Savanna made it through an incredibly difficult pregnancy and emergency C-section. It was a miracle that she crawled and ran (not walked, ran). It was a miracle that she was accepted for treatment at Shriners where she received top notch care from some of the best doctors and specialists in the world. It was a miracle that her tendons were still able to be stretched at 8 years old and that she can plie properly now for the 1st time in her life. Let us all remember the miracle that is Christmas. This is such a special time of year and I am reminded now more than ever that miracles happen everyday for those that believe! I leave you with one more photo of my baby who is now 8. There are miracles in all of our lives if we just look closely enough. Thank you for indulging me in my proud mamma moment and Merry Christmas to you all!!

Love,

Angela