Meet Charlie
Charlie was born with hydrocephalus and spina bifida. Here's a little intro his mom wrote for him:
"Hi, I’m Charlie! I was born with this rare thing called Spina Bifida, which also caused another rare thing called Hydrocephalus in my brain. When I was born, there was a lot of uncertainty about my future. I needed two scary surgeries within the first days of my life; my spine was closed and a shunt was placed in my brain. What that means for me now is that I have nerve damage in my legs and don’t walk without the support of tall leg braces that go up to my belly. It also means that I see doctors sometimes to monitor my shunt to make sure it is working properly.
"What it means for all of you, though, is that you just have to look slightly lower to have a conversation with me, because I sit down in a wheelchair instead of standing up. It also hopefully means that you will be supportive of my physical freedom (and that of others like me) by encouraging people to put in ramps and wide enough doorways for free movement for all people. If ALL people have access, that naturally includes those who, like me, roll instead of stroll.
"My family and I try to love Jesus with all our hearts! We also love to encourage other people. This includes encouraging people who may be traveling a similar path as my own (and their families), and it also includes encouraging those who may not have ever met anyone like me, so that they may learn and be kind.
"Remember, not all disabilities can be seen, and even the visible ones may be very different from what you think!"