HOLIDAY, Fla. — A moment a Tampa Bay area family never knew they’d get. Their daughter took her first steps after four brain surgeries and two scary diagnoses.
Lennyn Lyons is 17 months old. Her mom, Brianna, called her the “poster child for resilience.”
Just like any toddler, Lennyn is constantly on the move. But she isn’t just like any toddler.
Lennyn was born 10 weeks premature. Just weeks after birth, doctors diagnosed her with hydrocephalus, meaning she had fluid on her brain.
That led to months in the hospital and four brain surgeries all done by Dr. Abilash Haridas at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa.
And just six months ago, doctors diagnosed her with cerebral palsy. Both her doctors and parents were unsure what kind of life she would live.
“It was unknown what she would be able to do. If she would be able to speak, if she would be able to grab anything, if she would have motor function,” said Seth Lyons, Lennyn’s dad.
But she’s proof a little determination and encouragement goes a long way.
“She started pulling herself up and we were like ‘what is happening?’ and then she was on all fours instead of slithering across the floor,” said Brianna.
And just last week, Lennyn Lyons took her very first steps.
“Don’t let anyone tell you what your kid can and can’t do. They’re gonna tell you what they can do,” said Brianna.
For more information on Lennyn’s journey and to follow her progress, visit LennynStrong.com.
