Eliana has Spina Bifida (an open spine). Literally part of her spinal cord was outside her back. We found out at the 20 week ultrasound during the pregnancy. Normally right after birth they would close her spine. We decided to have her spine closure done inside the womb. Our best option was to have it done in Cincinnati. We got to Cincinnati to have the surgery done and found out my wife's water had broken. Eliana was born on the day the surgery was supposed to happen inside the womb. She was born at 25 weeks gestation weighing 1 pound 1 ounce. Doctors gave us the comfort care option on 3 separate occasions due to the unlikelihood of her surviving. Eliana had pneumonia at 2 pounds and so many other things to overcome early on. Eliana started making huge strides when her grandma became angel when Eliana was 2 months old. Since then Eliana has undergone numerous procedures including laser eye surgery, treatment for club feet and kidney stones, shunt placement for hydrocephalus, lots and lots of brain testing and implantation of a brain stimulator for epilepsy, hip dysplasia correction, and most recently, spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis that fused her spine from her pelvis up as high as her shoulder blades.

She is an incredible, brave, and loving girl! She loves family, friends, hugs, sand, animals, looking at books, Tots cartoon, being outdoors, and camping! She has had a large impact on the people around herwith her loves and strength.

We are trying to get her an all-terrain wheelchair. Unfortunately, insurance will not cover the all-terrain wheelchair. She loves camping, going on trails, exploring nature, and all things outdoors, so it would add so much to her life. The all-terrain wheelchair we are wanting to get her is called an Action Trackchair. It's a track wheelchair. Eliana has gotten to use one a few times, and the way it opened up her world was nothing short of magical! We have received a $5,000 grant plus raised $1,085 privately but still need about $15,500 more for the one that would be best suited for her. We don't want you to give your life savings away. If you have extra and would want to help a young girl connect with her world and her peers, we would appreciate any amount. God bless you.