She’s a walking miracle
Published: May 9, 2006
MIRACULOUS steps have been taken by an inspirational four-year-old who doctors had forecast she might never walk.
Two years ago doctors were baffled by Lillie Tivey’s condition, which prevented her from bending her legs and other joints, and her parents Ivan and Amie accepted she might never stand up from her electric wheelchair.
But to their joy, a few weeks ago the determined youngster pulled herself on to her feet after a course of treatment for the juvenile arthritis began to take effect, two months after the diagnosis was finally made.
Mrs Tivey, who runs a bed and breakfast on their farm in Swinford Road, near Lutterworth, said: “We found Lillie standing up next to the kitchen chair, she was walking the stool around the room.
“I said ‘hold my hands, Lillie’ not really believing she could do it because she can’t close her hands.
“But she grabbed my fingers. We were amazed, completely and utterly blown away.”
Her son Jacob (7) is just as ecstatic that his little sister is finally on her feet.
She added: “I said ‘hold Jacob’s hands’ and he looked delighted, like all of his birthdays and Christmasses had come at once.
“And they did a little jig.”
Lillie’s treatment involves steroid injections into her limbs, which destroy arthritic cells in her joints, reducing swelling and pain in her joints.
She may not attend another course for nine months but she has weekly injections of a drug which is believed to stave off arthritis.
With the help of a cast on her upper legs to help her straighten her bent legs and a new-found ability to clutch, she is taking tentative steps while holding on to furniture, hands or a walking frame.
Grasping her father’s fingers, while bobbing energetically, she said: “My favourite thing is bouncing. I like bouncy castles.”
Lillie’s dream is to one day have a mini gym like her older cousin’s, and her parents hope to buy her an air-controlled rowing machine, as the bending and stretching actions help lengthen her limbs.
When her casts are removed she said she would like a pair of full length Wellington boots so she can splash in puddles, which she loves to create with the wheels of her electric scooter.
Her parents said throughout her months of painful treatment – which has included operations on her tendons, countless injections and constant physiotherapy – Lillie has come out with sayings such as ‘never give up’ and ‘where there is a will there is a way’.
Devoted to her brother Jacob, she is looking forward to going to Swinford Primary School next year so she can see him at playtimes, and when she grows up, she said she wants to be whatever he becomes.
While she has been discovering the joy of walking, dairy farmer Mr Tivey said she is also learning a hard lesson about falling over.
He said: “She’s saying ‘daddy can you help me down’ but her bottom is only a foot off the floor.
“We try and tell her it’s not far, just try!”
Her parents say there is no guarantee that her legs will straighten enough for her to be able to walk properly, but they are thrilled that their daughter is in less pain and is finally on her feet.
Mr Tivey said: “We’ve still a long way to go but there is a light. As long as this carries on, we’re not sure how straight the knee is going to get.”
He said Lillie would need another series of steroid injections within nine months or if she has another flare-up, but until then she will keep her strength up with swimming, horse riding and playgroup sessions.
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