Smithville child's miracle continues as she learns to walk

April 16--SMITHVILLE -- Last July, Amelia Moody's story of going for surgery in St. Louis to help enable her to walk made prayer lists and found a place in many people's hearts. Eight months later, Amelia, who lives with cerebral palsy, has mastered walking with two canes and is walking short distances freely.

"We'll be in a store and people say, 'Is this Amelia? We love her.' God knew who could handle it. She's so patient and calm. I don't know how many 5 year olds could sit through three hours of therapy a week. She's so dedicated," said her mother, Heather.

Heather and her husband, Chris, never failed to believe Amelia's selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery guaranteed to cure leg spasms would go through, even after being denied insurance coverage numerous times. After the surgery was scheduled, the family's prayers were answered two days before they left as they were informed their insurance company finally approved the surgery.

Amelia couldn't move for three days following the surgery, and she ultimately had to undergo five days of therapy before being released to come home. After returning home, she went to physical therapy five times a week and is going three times a week now. She sleeps in night splints and knee braces.

"She can stand two to three minutes at a time by herself. Right after surgery, she wiggled her toes for the first time," Heather said.

Using a walker before her surgery, she transitioned to arm crutches and onto two canes she uses now, even though she can walk short distances unassisted. Her next phase is using one cane, then walking completely independently.

"It's been amazing to watch her progress. She's having to build up her muscles and had to start all over again by learning to roll and crawl," Heather said. "She's mastered the canes in the past two weeks. She's so determined, she may surprise us and be walking this summer."

Heather hopes Amelia will walk by the time she starts kindergarten this fall, where she said she looks forward to reading books about puppy dogs. Since her surgery, Amelia has learned to dress herself and is eager to assist family members at home.

A number of people have followed Amelia's story on Facebook through the Amelia's Journey page.

"I don't think we could've made it without all the people praying for us. It made it where it was a God thing where all His people came together," Heather said.

Donations have continued to come in to cover travel, expenses and other needs for the healing process.

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