Ella is 12 I can’t believe it.

How did that happen so fast. Trying to imagine her at twelve  always seemed so far away. And yet… here it is.

With all her difficulties, with all the challenges, she has managed to retain her cheerful optimistic outlook that everyone she meets finds so endearing.

Ella was dealt the worst of cards. Disabilities on every level, medical challenges, deformity, limited vision. She went through surgeries, pain, more surgeries, difficulties and more difficulties. And yet… she is a whole person, one who enjoys things, Enjoys and interacts with people, is in tune with what is going on around her, has desires, fears, anticipation and joy.

Ella is very easy to be around. Yes there is the issue of the demanding logistics, but… there is never an attitude, a grudge a feeling of entitlement, of complaining things are not fair.

There is also (quite surprisingly) never a sense of bitterness about her fortune, about her limitations.

She has chores around the house, emptying the dishwasher silverware and putting it away and when she is able… taking the recycling out.

Ella became quite the wizard with YouTube. She navigates it like a champ with all the intricacies, getting rid of the ads, zooming in, skipping to the next clip, getting to a clip that interests her.

She is working hard at reading skills and has mastered some of it. There is still work ahead.

Her mobility is an ongoing challenge. And there is a vicious circle at work here. Her instability and challenged walking cause her to have accidents (Three in the past year for example) which render her wheelchair bound for months at a time, further reducing her walking skills. She works at it diligently and does about 25 minutes a day on a treadmill and also uses an excercise bike once in a while.

Ella’s schedule is very busy. She goes to an afternoon program twice a week. Once to a sports program after school and twice she has a tutor come over and work with her. Finally… once a week she has a special needs youth movement she goes to. Quite involved.

Of course Ella knows by the day of the week what is on the schedule, what comes after what and she has her favorite activities.

Despite her limited communication abilities she is always a favorite in her class and in her group. they choose to be with her and form ongoing connections. Both the kids and the teachers / caregivers.

There is no denying she is special. We always say everyone is different. But she is the living illustration of this.

Everyone who comes in contact with her quickly realizes that to know her is to love her.