Limitless Confidence: Evelyn's Story

When Evie Brinker was just an infant, her mom noticed she wasn't reaching milestones like her older siblings. She couldn't sit and her right side was tight. Evie's mom, Noel, was afraid maybe her daughter had a stroke. However, when Evie was just nine months old, she received a Cerebral Palsy diagnosis, and her parents were told she would never walk.

At age two, Evie's physical therapist recommended that the family introduce additional therapy sessions and referred them to Turnstone. Evie started therapy at Turnstone unable to crawl. However, once Evie was given the correct equipment and treatment needed to build strength, she began standing on her own. After Evie became strong enough, Turnstone lent the family a walker leading to her first steps - steps Evie's parents thought they might not ever celebrate.

Noel shared, "Because of Turnstone, our daughter went from a diagnosis where doctors said that she would never walk, to taking independent steps, and that's priceless."

After a few years of therapeutic services at Turnstone, Evie began walking without the aid of her walker and was able to keep up with other kids her age. One of her most memorable accomplishments was on a Kindergarten Class field trip to an Environmental Center where Evie refused to spend the hike on her mom's back and insisted on experiencing the trails for herself. She walked through those muddy trails for hours right alongside her friends.

"To see her confidence and to see her want to join in on all these activities that we never thought she'd be able to do, it's been really hopeful, and I really think she can do anything that she wants to do," said Joe, Evie's father.

After Evie and her family shared their story as Turnstone's 2019 Gala Mission Moment, an anonymous donor presented Evie with her first adaptive bike. This bike allowed Evie to be the "big sister" she wanted to be as she pedaled the bike around while giving her little sister rides. Generous donations like this adaptive bike helped Evie develop skills that led to her discovering increased autonomy and personal freedom. Evie is able to independently shower, put on and take off her leg braces and shoes, and dress herself.

"Evelyn has always been very innovative at finding different ways to accomplish things. Kind and creative therapists at Turnstone encouraged this trait to help her meet different goals. This nurturing helped Evelyn in several ways: Number one, to see that she is capable of so much! And, number two, how to advocate for herself. This has been a priceless and timeless tool at therapy, in school, and throughout her life thus far," said Noel.

Evie's favorite discovery so far has been the vast array of adaptive sports opportunities available to her. In preschool, she joined sports like t-ball and soccer with other kids her age. At that time, everyone was just starting out and learning at a slower pace. But, as Evie got older, the competition sped up, making it a difficult place for her to channel her competitive spirit. Her mom knew that non-adaptive sports were not a good fit for her and did not honor her body well.

"I wrongly assumed that she couldn't be a part of Turnstone sports since she can walk with canes or her walker. Thank goodness Evelyn was able to work with a Turnstone Rec Therapist. She recognized the competitive spirit in Evelyn and would bring her to the Plassman Athletic Center where she introduced her to sports like tennis, volleyball, and wheelchair basketball, said Evie's mom.

Looking to be part of a team, Evelyn decided to try Power Soccer. "Our only regret is that we didn't know about it sooner. She's been able to connect with peers her own age and form relationships with other athletes who help her grow competitively. These friendships have been testaments that living with a condition might mean things look differently, but it does not take away from accessing opportunities and experiences on this journey called life," said Noel.

Participating in adaptive sports at Turnstone has increased Evelyn's confidence, brought the Brinker family together by cheering for her and the rest of the Flyers, and provided Evie a platform to share her Turnstone experience. Evelyn's school allows student-athletes to wear their jersey to school on game days, and she glows at the opportunity to wear her Turnstone Flyers jersey where she can tell her friends and teachers all about the sport she loves most.

This #GivingTuesday, your donation will help other kids like Evie discover a sense of belonging and sky-high confidence through adaptive sports opportunities at Turnstone.