Where there's a will, there's a way for Eleanor to succeed!

In 2016 Adam and Elizabeth Daywalt were happily expecting their second child when an ultrasound revealed something unexpected. The baby’s spinal cord hadn’t developed properly. Their daughter Eleanor would be born with spina bifida. The expectant parents couldn’t know how the condition would affect their child, but they knew one thing: “Adam and I made a pact that there would be no limits for our Eleanor,” Elizabeth said. “If there was a will, then there would be a way.” Soon after Eleanor was born, Easterseals became part of the family’s ‘no limits’ journey.

An Easterseals therapist became a regular visitor to the Daywalt home, helping Eleanor reach developmental goals to crawl, stand, and take her first steps. At age 3, Eleanor started receiving her therapy at the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center. There’s been no stopping her progress!

Now 9 years old, Eleanor loves the weekly sessions with her physical therapist Patty Balbach, who makes the hard work fun. “My favorite things are trampoline and kick the ball,” Eleanor said. “And playing with Patty! She helps me with my legs but she plays with me while she does it. She’s a helper!”

“Easterseals has been a great place to meet all of Eleanor’s needs,” Elizabeth said. “One of the most valuable tools Easterseals has been able to provide for our family is to support us in our ‘no limits dream’ for our Eleanor.”

With the community’s support, Easterseals empowers Eleanor and thousands of other Tri-State children and adults to achieve their own unique goals and dreams. “We find ourselves running Eleanor to all kinds of activities including tennis, therapeutic horseback riding, cheer and dance clinics, and swimming,” Elizabeth said. “Not only is Eleanor gaining the stamina to do these activities in therapy, she is also gaining confidence to participate in these activities with joy.”