Pregnancy is exciting. I mean, how can it not be when there’s a tiny alien-human growing inside of you, only getting bigger and bigger every day!? It starts microscopic, slowing growing into the size of a chickpea, an egg, a baseball, a baseball glove then eventually a watermelon. And, with it comes a variety of little miracles, like when the baby hiccups; or, when he/she moves around and kicks and punches. There’s just so many beautiful things happening inside of you when you’re busy creating a mini human, day in and day out, for 9 months.
Since there is so much to consider, routine doctor’s visits to make sure the baby is healthy comes part and parcel. It’s these check-ups that ensure the baby’s health, keeping an eye on things should they not go according to plan.
Whitney Dinkel from Kansas City, USA, was excited about her 20-week ultrasound appointment. Everything had been fine up until then, so when doctors had bad news for her, Whitney didn’t see it coming. The Dinkel’s unborn son had spina bifida. One of his neural tubes hadn’t developed correctly, and as a result, affected his spine causing defects that would impede his ability to walk. This news meant the baby boy would have to go through a life of doctor’s appointments, medical tests, pain, and surgeries.
This news came as a shock, but the Dinkels wanted nothing more than to bring their baby son into the world regardless of the challenges. The couple welcomed little Roman with open arms and big hearts. He was loved from the moment he was born and shown support through regular physical therapy and a doting, caring family. But, it was especially hard for this mom when Roman was no longer a baby, and growing up as a toddler. The other kids loved playing with him and vice versa, but they could run and jump and skip and hop while Roman stayed put. Roman’s condition made it difficult for him to walk most days, and yet the young boy never complained.
It was late at night when this savvy mom had a eureka moment. “So I got a crazy idea last night that Roman needed a pair of forearm crutches. I texted Roman’s therapist at like 9:30 pm and told her my thoughts and she agreed it was a great idea! She’s so awesome that she brought him a pair over today! She happened to have his exact size in her closet.
We had no idea how he would respond to his new ‘sticks,’ I figured he’d either love them or absolutely hate them. Well, as soon as he saw them he was in love! He kept saying ‘I love my new stick!’ and he was super eager to give them a try. I think he was extra excited because of Chrissy from Daniel Tiger, she also uses sticks to walk and he loves Daniel Tiger!”
And, he’s been more mobile ever since! Whitney was so thrilled, she took a video of Roman taking his first steps by himself with the family dog Maggie, saying “Look, Maggie! I’m walking, Maggie!” and uploaded it to Facebook. Within hours, she had pages and pages of nonstop messages from people all over the world falling in love with the little boy’s tenacity. It’s this 7-second clip that stands as a reminder to never give up.
It’s taken him some time to learn, but it’s opened up doors for him! He’s been able to use his walker less and rely on his “sticks” more to get him around on different terrain. And the boy and his family couldn’t be happier! He is one tough little cookie.
Click below to watch Roman’s remarkable journey continue to unfold.
