It can be difficult when you see a child struggling, especially when they have a severe medical condition. Evalyn Carr (Evie) was diagnosed with a rare brain disorder known as Pachygyria at the age of five months old. Now that she is two, she is unable to crawl, walk or stand up. Remarkably, however, she is able to swim.
Evie was showing the symptoms of the disease at a young age, including developmental delay, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and small head size. She also had a difficulty swallowing. The doctors told her mother that it will be unlikely if she would ever walk independently but they recommended she began physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.
Hydrotherapy is a water-based therapy program that can help to increase the ability for an individual to move and can strengthen the muscles. The Carrs’ insurance didn’t cover hydrotherapy, so when she was six months old, they started looking for a swimming pool nearby. Then they ran into Water Babies.
Since taking part in Water Babies, Evie has been making incredible progress. From the time she had her first lesson, things started to improve greatly.
“As I got in the pool with her and felt the warm water rise up our bodies, her little body relaxed in my arms. For the first time, her muscles were no longer stiff and she could move her arms and legs purposefully and freely. You could even see the relief in her face. It was magical.”
Now that Evie has strengthened her lungs, she is able to be more vocal. She is also gaining strength quickly and is now able to move her arms.
At 18 months old, she had her first solo swim and it went wonderfully.
“I couldn’t believe it. Our little girl who could not sit up, crawl or walk, could swim. All the other mums cheered, it was such an emotional moment. Evie really is our little mermaid.”
Evie continues to make progress and her family is now raising money for a hydrotherapy pool at home.
Via: Jumble Joy
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