Elizabeth was born 9 weeks prematurely and with low chance of survival. Her parents were told that she would not make it out of the delivery room. She arrived weighing just 1 lb. 14 oz. Her first four months of life were in the NICU and every day of her life has been a blessing and a day that wasn't expected. She was born with several congenital anomalies which included not having a formed right hip, knee, or ankle and she didn't have a tibia. Her parents had to make difficult decisions to give her any chance to possibly walk someday. It took tears and arguments and debates with different therapists in Elizabeth's life. Elizabeth first had to have surgery to have a hip built that could support the use of prosthesis. Any surgery is high risk, she doesn't have a spleen so does not have immunity against bacterias and she has chronic lung disease. The simplest of surgeries result in an ICU visit for her. The very first surgery she had for her intestines her right lung collapsed and she was on increased respiratory support for seven days.

Her hip surgery was in May 2016 and she was then in a lower body cast called a spica while the newly built hip settled. During this time she contracted a double respiratory infection and spent 10 days in the hospital including ICU days, yet again.

After she fully recovered from hip surgery it was time for a decision on her lower leg. She did not have the tibia and the best option presented was a through knee amputation. This surgery took place in October 2016. It went really really well, same surgeon from Johns Hopkins that did her hip, he is amazing. She was doing so well they said she could go ahead and be fitted for a prosthesis within a few weeks so that was done.

On November 2 Elizabeth went in JUST to try the socket on, it was not her finished product leg and it was not meant for her to bear weight, it was meant to check the socket and then put some hardware on to check the height. Well in that moment Elizabeth decided it was NOT just a socket fitting but it is when she would take her first steps!! 20 months old and took her first step (assisted). No one had any idea that would happen. The prosthetisist was as surprised as anyone as she is saying "mom, mom, mom" as Elizabeth just starts stepping. She is a brilliant child and learns and imitates anything, little did anyone know she was so ready to imitate walking as soon as she was given the chance. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING DAY