When Zoe was born, she was 8 weeks premature weighing 3 lbs 11 oz. In her first year, there were some developmental delays that brought her to a Neurologist.  She was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. An MRI confirmed she had brain damage as a result of a lack of oxygen at childbirth.  Since then she has been in Occupational and Physical therapies.  We continually see improvement over the years. She is working hard with her therapists and has a joyful disposition.  She loves her iPod touch (which she refers to as her phone) making slime and any kind of experiment or project.  She is very independent.   She wants to do everything on her own which is wonderful but challenging as a parent.  She is helpful, caring, and encouraging to her peers.  Although at times she can be a bit bossy 😀, in a good way as she is 6 going on 16!  She is currently on medication to relax her muscles. The medication reduces the spasticity which prevents her from moving easily.  We have upcoming procedures that will hopefully help in the goal of being more mobile  Now that she is 6 years old and almost 50 pounds and not mobile things are becoming difficult.  Since she started kindergarten I have her in new therapy which I'm driving back and forth between both 12 hours a week just in driving time alone.  Lifting her and her wheelchair in and out of the car manually.  Zoe and her therapy are of the utmost importance.  Besides the upcoming procedures and possible surgery, our main goal in the near future is a wheelchair-accessible van.  Lifting this custom wheelchair and her several times a day in and out of the car is taking its toll.  We are excited to be part of the Bella’s Angels family and are thankful she was chosen.