She’s a walking miracle.
Five-year-old Piper-Kohl Kelly defied all odds when doctors diagnosed her with spina bifida and claimed she wouldn’t have the ability to walk.
Now, the young girl not only walks but runs.
“Sometimes it doesn’t feel real. I think back to what we were told and they were really negative about Piper’s diagnosis,” her mom, Georgia Axford, shared with SWNS.
During a 20-week pregnancy scan, doctors notified the young parents, Georgia Axford, then 19 and 21-year-old Tyler Kelly, that their unborn child had spina bifida — and her only hope was an invasive surgery performed on the fetus.
Spina bifida is a condition that affects the spine and is usually apparent at birth, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In most cases, people with the condition experience paralysis in the lower limbs and cannot walk.
The parents from South Gloucestershire, England, flew to Germany to have spinal surgery on their unborn child, which cost over $11,400. Piper was operated inside her mother’s womb with the hopes that she would have the opportunity to walk one day.
Piper-Kohl Kelly was born in July 2018 at 30 weeks and remained in the intensive care unit for 52 days before her family was able to bring their baby girl home.
“[She] went through a major surgery at six months old and it’s been hard over the years with all her physio and doctors,” said Axford, now 24. “We were prepared to give Piper whatever support she needed.”
Doctors warned Piper’s parents of the possibility of her needing a shunt if she was “showing signs” of a lack of development.
Eventually, medical professionals encouraged Piper to use a shunt and a walking frame to help her move around. After a year of using the frame, she no longer relied on it and became completely independent.
“It’s a miracle that she’s been through it and is who she is today. She’s been through a lot in her life,” Axford added.
The family decided to name Piper-Kohl after her doctor, surgeon Thomas Kohl, who operated on Piper during the miracle spinal surgery.
“I think our experience was a lot easier because of Piper’s surgeon, Thomas Kohl,” Axford continued. “He’s always been so lovely to us.”
Dr. Kohl and Piper also share the same birthday, which the family found to be a funny coincidence.
“On their birthday, they always FaceTime or send a message,” the mom said.
The family continues to update the physician about Piper’s progress.
“Whenever Piper does something which we didn’t think she was going to be able to do, I send him a quick update.”
Recently the young girl participated in her school’s sports day where all the students played different athletic activities.
“Seeing her run on the tracks was amazing,” the England mom shared. “I never thought she’d be able to do something like that.”
While the five-year-old continues to impress her parents, she still faces some struggles.
“She does get really tired and can’t go for really long distances, but she does so well, especially considering what we were told,” the mom said.
Axford, 24, and Kelly, 26, admire their daughter’s strength and look forward to seeing other challenges she conquers.
“She’s so clever, and she’s such a kind and caring little girl,” her mom gushed. “She beats the odds all the time – and whatever she does, I’ll be so proud of her.”
“We’re so lucky to see Piper achieve what she does.”
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