Girl Born With Spina Bifida Defies All Odds And Finishes Her First Track Race

Jun 14, 2019 by apost team

Before Aubrey was even born, her life posed many challenges that would be difficult to overcome. Her mother Chelsea Garcia, recently posted a video on Facebook of Aubrey finishing her first track ever in their home state of Kansas. The video has since gone viral and Chelsea has opened up to talk about her daughter Aubrey's journey.  Continue to see Aubrey finishing her first track race. 

In a Facebook post, Chelsea talks about how she first learned Aubrey was diagnosed with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (a buildup of cerebral spinal fluid on her brain) while she was pregnant with her. Spina Bifida is a condition that prevents a child’s spinal cord from developing the way that it should in the womb. The day after the birth of Aubrey, the infant had to undergo surgery to correct the defects to her spine. But despite the operation, Aubrey has still faced a lot of challenges that stem from this diagnosis throughout her short life as a seven-year-old.

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At just a few months old, Aubrey was fitted with orthotics for her feet. She doesn’t have any feeling in her body from the knees down, which makes learning how to walk and be mobile on her own without assistance an extremely tough challenge for the little girl. But Aubrey always shows up to her appointments and tries her best to overcome the obstacles that were placed upon her because of her condition.

After learning how to control the muscles in her hips, she began walking at age six despite the predictions against her. Her mother told ABC News, "Sometimes I’ll suggest using a walker to get around if we’re going to Walmart or a big store like that, but she refuses, she wants to do it all on her own."

As Aubrey grew older, she developed an interest in track because both of her sisters participated in the activity. After she decided that she wanted to be like them and join the team, she spent months practicing her technique running around the field. Her ultimate goal was to compete in her town’s track meet called “Little Cardinal.” When the big day arrived, she showed up ready to compete in the 50-meter race, despite all of the odds stacked up against her.

 Aubrey’s main goal wasn’t to focus on her speed, but rather to finish the race and never give up on her dreams of competing in a track meet. Chelsea said to ABC News, "My husband and I both told her how proud we were of her and how we were so amazed she made it, to see her do something that you didn’t think she’d ever be able to do, it makes you think about all the other things she’s capable of."

With her hard work and determination, Aubrey was able to complete the entire race and now others are inspired by her courageous efforts. What do you think about this little girl’s inspirational story? Tell us in the comments below. Spread the word about Aubrey's accomplishment so others can be inspired by her determination!