A Meeting with Billie Eilish Propels Dani to Keep Fighting
“I can never thank Billie and DIFTL for what you did for my little girl. Dani is an example of the reason this organization was created - to give hope to kids in her situation who are just fighting so hard to make it through.”
Teenagers and Billie Eilish go together like peanut butter and jelly. But for Dani, a 13-year old from Illinois who was born with spina bifida, meeting Billie Eilish was a defining moment in her life that has propelled her to keep fighting to walk in an uphill battle of multiple surgeries and grueling physical therapy.
Spina bifida is a birth defect from incomplete closing of the spine and membranes around the spinal cord, which can result in limited movement and function, including being paralyzed or unable to walk or move certain parts of the body. Dani has undergone two spinal cord and six brain surgeries just in the last year and a half and does physical therapy for three to five hours a day, five days a week. To say she is a fighter is an understatement.
“We were told that she would be wheelchair-bound when she was born and we thought nope - not her!” explained her mother, Cynthia. “Dani started doing physical therapy when she was four months old and fought to walk independently. She’s progressed so much. Three years ago, she was able to walk independently in the house.”
Unfortunately, Dani’s been in a wheelchair the past year and a half after a growth spurt caused a recurring issue with her spine, but she continues to work hard so that she can walk again. When Dani found out her wish to go to a Billie Eilish concert was granted by Do It For The Love, she was over the moon! Her mom said, “but to meet her – that took it to the next level! She needed that moment. It has given her a lift that is keeping her going. It’s incredible.”
Dani got to meet Billie before the concert, where they chatted like regular teenagers and talked about Dani’s favorite song (which Billie played during the concert). Dani was so overwhelmed after the meet and greet experience that she cried tears of joy and excitement.
Even now, four months later, Dani reminds her mom of her special meeting with Billie once or twice a day. She exclaims, “Guess what, Mom - I met Billie!” Somehow, the wish from Do It For The Love came at just the right moment in Dani’s life – a time when the frustration of not walking and the ongoing surgeries seemed too overwhelming.
“It’s such an important part of her recovery,” explained Cynthia. Right now, Dani is working towards bearing weight, standing, and walking. She approaches each day with the happiness and good nature she’s always shown. She works hard in physical therapy and practices meditation daily to visualize walking again. In her free time, she loves playing video games with friends and her 15-year old sister, Samantha; competing in wheelchair basketball; enjoying her seventh year in Girl Scouts; and of course, rocking out to Billie Eilish.
