Meet Skylar! A beautiful 2 year old girl who lives in Clarksville, TN with mom and dad, Unissa and Shawn Turner. Skylar was born with Spina Bifida, a birth defect that affects the backbone and membranes around the spinal cord. Unissa underwent fetal surgery, at 25 weeks, to close the lesion in Skylar's back with hopes to increase physical mobility as she grows, and to decrease the chances of a shunt being placed in the brain due to hydrocephalus.
Although Skylar, now 2, is mobile, she uses her leg braces and her walker to help her move around while she's walking on her own. Unissa and Shawn both encourage her to walk without her walker as often as they can, but the leg braces are forever, as she doesn't have much muscle control or feeling below the knee.
Skyar has been working on her walking skills and mobility since day one, and it is definitely paying off! While spending some time together in the family room, Skylar's dad, Shawn, was trying to encourage Skylar to take a few steps without her walker from the couch to him across the room. Mom OF COURSE whipped out the camera, and thank god she did, because Skylar, for the first time, took her FIRST steps on her own right into her dad's arms! Such an emotional and exciting moment for the Turners! Check out Skylar's first steps below!
CUE THE TEARS Y'ALL IM CRYING!
Since posted, Skylar's first steps have gone viral! With over 200k views and 3k shares, we are ALL cheering for Skylar!
"I get so wrapped up in our daily routine, I forget to breath and take in moments like this." Skylar's mom, Unissa, shared, "it’s so heartwarming to see the world fighting with us to see Skylar prosper."
Photo Credit: instagram.com/unissamichelle