Nadia's next steps
On July 1, as Allison straightened Nadia's room, she looked up to see her daughter stretching backward to the rocking chair for balance. Suddenly, the child launched herself forward toward the bed.
Allison rushed over - not to grab her, but to protect against a fall as Nadia walked across the four feet of carpet to grab hold of the crib.
"Joe!" Allison called out to her husband. He rushed in.
Nadia demonstrated her newfound talent, walking the three feet between her excited parents, who held out their arms even as they wept.
They hovered as they watched their little girl haltingly take her first steps. This was what they had been waiting for, yet they could not bring themselves to let down their guard.
They stood over her, ready to catch her if she fell.
Epilogue
Nadia, who will be 2 years old on Nov. 14, is doing well. On Sept. 7, nearly five months after her transplant, the family drove to Children's Hospital for a scheduled checkup. As Nadia scampered about, the visit was captured on video.
She still sleeps with her parents.
Contact staff writer Josh Goldstein at 215-854-4733 or jgoldstein@phillynews.com.
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