Wheelchair Unbound

Lily's wheelchair has finally arrived!! When Kayla and I went to pick it up, I was unsure how Lily would like it, how I would feel about it, and what it really meant for us. I mean, surely no mom can know for sure how she will feel when she goes to pick up a wheelchair for her daughter. I was nervous that I would be a blubbering idiot, but knew that I had to hold myself together and make the chair a wonderful and joyous experience for Lily. So I put on my big girl panties and headed out to Gig Harbor. When we put Lily in the chair, we were amazed that she absolutely loved it! (I might have told her that it was a fairy throne and that special fairies made it especially for her--and there is some percentage of chance that's true, so we'll go with it). She sits aligned correctly and has the support she needs to interact and play. We've tested it out and not only will she sleep in it (which she would not do well in her stroller), she also loves to play and feed herself in it. We went to the mall and she lasted over an hour! This is not something we could do before without Lily becoming very unhappy. She had to either lean back and see nothing or balance herself sitting up which was exhausting to her. This has opened amazing doors for all of us, and most especially Lily. Tonight we went out to eat and had the best time that we've had in ages. She was faced toward us at the table. She fed herself. She played. She laughed, and before we knew it, it was 7:00!!! I don't ever remember us ever being able to stay out that late nor Lily being able to sit at a table long enough for us to get through a whole meal with her wide awake and enjoying it like all kids should have the opportunity to do!!! Now I want to take her everywhere just so she can experience life on a whole new level! I have not needed to have a big cry or work out my emotions over this because seeing Lily's smile and life experience enhanced in this way brings me nothing but joy! I'm, correction, WE are on cloud 9 3/4, and I can't wait to enjoy many, many adventures with Lily's new wheels!