G is for Growing Up After Abuse

Today I am departing from my usually light banter and writing about my friend Riley.  Riley was born a beautiful, perfectly healthy, baby girl.  I worked with her dad Brad and very often he would bring Riley into the office. I always looked forward to her visits. She was such a special baby with tons of personality always very social and smiled very easily.  At two she was so used to coming by for visits she would prance around without any trepidation.  She was talking up a storm by then and would make me smile with her cute little baby conversations.

Riley prior to March 27, 2007

On March 27, 2007 I remember being told that Brad had to leave because he had gotten a call that Riley had been found in her crib by her daycare provider, unresponsive. She was being air lifted to Albany Medical Center.  OMG I was sick thinking of Brad and his wife Lisa and Riley, poor Riley what had happened?  As the days progressed the pieces to what happened to Riley were exposed.  Riley had been assaulted by her daycare provider.  The very person that Lisa and Brad had left Riley with to protect her each day from harm had turned on Riley in a fit of rage.  Riley's condition was serious she had suffered a traumatic brain injury at the hands of this monster.

Riley was not expected to survive even though she made it through that first surgery.  If she survived at all she would never, ever be the same.  Riley fought hard to stay alive with  Brad and Lisa at her side day and night.  They prayed for her survival no matter what, they just wanted their sweet Riley to live.

Riley did survive, but life for Brad, Lisa and Riley has changed forever.  Since that horrific day in 2007 Riley has not walked, fed herself or sat up without assistance.  She is legally blind and takes daily doses of seizure medicine.  Riley is a fighter and is making progress with her eating and potty training and just the other day Lisa Brad and Riley celebrated her taking a few steps on the treadmill.   Riley has endured more hardships during her short time on earth then most people endure in their entire life but through it all  her big bright happy smile lights up a room and touches all that come in contact with her.

Riley is growing by leaps and bonds so transporting her and her wheelchair in a traditional vehicle gets harder and harder each day.  As part of National Mobility Awareness Month, Riley has been entered into a contest to get her a van that would be wheelchair accessible but she needs votes.

I am hoping that all my fellow A to Z challenge bloggers will take time each day to vote and forward this to anyone and everyone that you are in contact with so that  Riley and her family can get the van that will help make their lives just a little bit easier.

Get Riley a Van

click here

http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/entrant/riley-gilbert-schenectady-ny/

Please take a few minutes to vote and play it forward to help Riley.  Thank you

Mary Ann