FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Five years after a little girl was shot while playing in a bounce house in Atlanta, she is taking steps for the first time.
Channel 2′s Lori Wilson spoke with Abriya Ellison and her mother about her step-by-step recovery.
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At Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Scottish Rite campus, robotics are helping 10-year-old Abriya walk.
Her mom, Andreanna Douglas, says five years after her daughter was shot while playing in a bounce house at a southwest Atlanta party, the road to recovery has been slow but steady.
“They said she would never walk again. Not saying she’s there yet, but her progress, she’s going to make it,” Douglas said. “She had the ankle surgery to get the ankle straight. Come March she’ll have back surgery, so we’re still going.”
And now, progress. Ellison took her first steps since doctors said she would be permanently paralyzed from the waist down.
“It was hard because we had to walk all the way to the end of the hallway,” Ellison said.
These are huge steps for a little girl who, other than being in physical therapy, is just like every other fourth grader. She loves science, her dogs and the color lavender, and is focused on the holidays.
“I want an iPhone, I want another puppy, I want a hundred dollars,” she said
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Douglas says she isn’t working so that she can care for Abriya.
“It’s tough for me. Some days are hard,” Douglas said.
There is home schooling, therapy appointments, and Abriya has a 6-year-old sister who needs attention, too; but with each appointment, mom is motivated.
They work hard, keep each other laughing and stay hopeful.
“I told her I wanted her to get up and walk. My birthday’s in July,” Douglas said. “I’m looking forward to more progress. I know it’s going to take time, so I’m not going to say I’m looking forward to her get up and go, but more progress.”
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Douglas started a GoFundMe page to help with Abriya’s care and medical bills.
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