Hello Everyone,

My apologies for not being better or even as intentional as I should be with updates. I feel like we (my husband and I) are always chasing time and trying to keep up with all of the demands of this life and what God has entrusted us with. With that being said- Avia is doing well! She completed her last intense in mid November. It wasn’t a walk in the park..this disease doesn’t allow for much of that. But Avia fought through the GI distress that ails and complicates life for her more than not AND she gained!! It brought us more hope and fight for the days ahead- that’s what this disease does- any and all achievements are HUGE and leave us with strength to keep on praying and trusting and having hope for more for her. But even with all that just being said, I get burnt out from what is required daily for just her needs to be met. I get physically, emotionally, and even sometimes spiritually drained. While showing up for one of my children usually means not being as present for another or faking it which sadly happens because sometimes it’s all I can do. December was a hard month, my four other children along with Daniel, battled the flu at different times which left Avia and I to welcome the New Year with it! “But God” she didn’t end up in the hospital and He allowed for my body to fight a good fight that we could still find Joy amidst the chaos.  

About a month ago, one of my sweetest friends who is also a Pitt Mom encouraged me to start a shoe drive fundraiser. She was currently running one for her daughter to help offset the funds of a service dog. She expressed how used shoes is something most people have and when a pair or two can be passed down to help with a medical need, one usually doesn’t think twice. This shoe drive is also two fold, the company fixes the shoes and sends them to countries in need, so not only will it be helping our Sweet Avia, it will be helping other people as well. After considering the impact, this type of fundraiser would have, I wanted in. Avia is going to need therapies throughout her lifetime. This specific DMI therapy is leading her to independent walking. It is allowing for her brain to open different gateways of learning movement. It is expanding her quality of life, even if it won’t ever be quite that of a neuro typical child. Movement is such a gift and I am determined to do all that I can with God who strengthens me daily, to see my daughter walk independently.

The fundraiser goes for two months, we are starting February 1st. I need help from the community. If you are reading this and feel pressed to help in any such way, please send me an email at mobility4avia@gmail.com. Thank You All from the bottom of our hearts! 

If you’d like to continue following Avia’s story, sharing her journey, or supporting what’s ahead, you can find all updates here: 

👉 https://www.supportnow.org/avia-s-journey