The Panthera...

what a lovely day...

heart-breaking too though as I saw Eilidh in a wheelchair...

independent in a wheelchair, mind you!

A rep from GBL Wheelchairs arrived this morning with this dinky little chair and, after quickly assembling it - and it literally was a two second job of putting the wheels on - I went with Eilidh through to the kitchen... without the rep as Eilidh certainly had a wee touch of stage fright!

I strapped her in and added the wide neoprene band which we used as additional truncal support, adding in Bella-Bear too for company.  Within seconds she was moving the chair with one hand, then two and then, gaining momentum, she pointed outdoors; she was off!  After much waiting, and some heart-break too, here were Eilidh's first "steps"... what an amazing moment!  There is hope, so much hope where a few months ago there was none,  for Eilidh's independence... And what a proud mummy I was too...

D was unable to join us today and so tonight, with the girls tucked up in bed, I showed him short video clips of this momentous day.  He was moved and quite rightly - sadness that our child is wheelchair dependent but happiness because, finally she had gained a little independence and she was so happy and proud of herself...

I found out today that Eilidh may be able to get a Zippie Simba through the NHS.  After a test drive of this chair tomorrow I'll try to find out how quickly we can be seen at WestMARC so that we can make a decision as to how long we can wait until we get Eilidh the chair which will, to some extent, change her life!  And then the toddler or "wheeler" fun will begin...  Watch out everyone, Eilidh is on the move!