In 2004 two words were spoken that changed a mother's life. These two words spoken in regards to her 1 year old baby boy changed her goals, her plans, and most of all it would change her perspective. The words that would shape the next 11 years: Cerebral Palsy.
Upon hearing the diagnosis Tara Anderson, Idaho Falls resident, reacted as any young and hopeful mother would, she was utterly shocked. She was racked with feelings of inadequacy and fears for the future. Tara remembered thinking that she was the wrong person for the job. She thought of neighbors, friends, and family that would be a better fit for raising a child with such specific needs. However, Kyler Anderson, now 12 years old would argue there was no one better for the job.
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When asked about the severity of Kyler's condition she stated, "Luckily, Kyler only has cerebral Palsy, he can hear, and he can see, and he can communicate. It could have been so much worse." Tara explained that Kyler was born with Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL) but the problem was not detected until much later when Kyler started missing his milestones, "he wasn't crawling or sitting up like other kids his age." Tara related.
Now, 11 years, 5 surgeries, and countless physical therapy appointments later, Kyler is a genuinely happy kid. Tara's eyes light up anytime she gets the opportunity to talk about her spunky kid. She excitedly related a skiing trip she was able to take Kyler on and the joy she saw as "a smile spread all the way across his face, from ear to ear, when he was gliding down the mountain!" Tara's dream is to buy Kyler his own adaptive ski's but with the cost of an upcoming surgery the dream has been put on