Miracle Surgery Enables 5-Year-Old with Spina Bifida to Run
This remarkable transformation can be attributed to a groundbreaking spinal surgery she underwent while still in the womb
[Jan. 9, 2024: JD Shavit, The Brighter Side of News]
Piper can often be found jumping around despite her medical condition diagnosis. (CREDIT: SWNS)
In a heartwarming tale of perseverance and modern medical miracles, a five-year-old girl named Piper-Kohl Kelly is defying the odds and running like any other child her age.
This remarkable transformation can be attributed to a groundbreaking spinal surgery she underwent while still in the womb, a procedure that has changed her life and inspired her parents, Georgia Axford and Tyler Kelly.
The journey began when Georgia and Tyler, mere teenagers at the time, received disheartening news during a routine ultrasound at 20 weeks of pregnancy. Their unborn child was diagnosed with spina bifida, a condition known for causing weakness or paralysis in the lower limbs. The grim prognosis left the young parents devastated, as they were informed that their baby might never walk.
Older picture of parents Tyler and Piper-Kohl with then newborn baby Georgia. (CREDIT: SWNS)
Refusing to accept this bleak future, the determined couple decided to seek treatment abroad. They embarked on a journey to Germany, where a team of skilled medical professionals performed a groundbreaking in-utero spinal surgery on their unborn child. Remarkably, this life-changing procedure cost them just £9,000 (approximately $11,500).
Piper-Kohl Kelly was born in July 2018, healthy and full of promise. She was named after the skilled surgeon, Dr. Thomas Kohl, who had played a pivotal role in her miraculous journey. Today, at the age of five, Piper is running, playing, and recently even participated in her school's sports day, defying the dire predictions made during her prenatal diagnosis.
Georgia Axford, Piper's mother, expressed her astonishment and joy, saying, "Seeing her run on the tracks was amazing. I never thought she'd be able to do something like that." She added, "Sometimes it doesn't feel real. I think back to what we were told, and they were really negative about Piper's diagnosis."
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Spina bifida, a congenital condition, can often lead to a life of dependency on supports or crutches. In severe cases, individuals may be confined to wheelchairs. Initially, doctors were convinced that Piper-Kohl would face a similar fate. However, her remarkable progress has shattered those expectations.
Georgia, who hails from South Yorkshire, recounted the early challenges and the uncertainty that surrounded Piper's future. Piper was induced at 32 weeks and spent 52 days in the neonatal intensive care unit. Despite these early obstacles, Piper started her journey towards a normal life right alongside her peers.
"When she was around two, her physio gave her a walking frame—she doesn't use it anymore, but we have it in case she needs the support," Georgia explained. "She used it for about a year while she was starting to walk, but now she walks completely independently."
The five-year-old is relied on a walking frame for one year but walks independently now. (CREDIT: SWNS)
Piper's surgeon, Dr. Thomas Kohl, is not just a medical professional; he's also a family friend who shares a special bond with the family. The two even celebrate the same birthday, making Piper's journey even more unique and heartwarming.
While the road has been challenging, Georgia and Tyler are brimming with pride over their daughter's incredible progress. They look forward to witnessing their "kind and caring girl" achieve whatever she sets her mind to in the future.
Piper is very active despite her medical condition diagnosis. (CREDIT: Daniel Dayment / SWNS)
"It's a miracle that she's been through it and is who she is today," Georgia remarked. "She loves coloring and anything to do with arts and crafts. She loves school, and she has a really good group of friends. She beats the odds all the time, and whatever she does, I'll be so proud of her."
Piper-Kohl Kelly's story serves as a testament to the remarkable advancements in modern medicine and the unwavering determination of parents who refuse to give up on their child's future. Her journey is an inspiring reminder that with the right medical interventions and the support of a loving family, anything is possible.
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