He’s just two years old, but he has become an inspiration to many around the world. Roman Dinkel is defying the odds with each new step.
The Overland Park, Kansas toddler was born with spina bifida, a condition that causes defects in the spinal cord and spinal bone development. Roman’s parents did not know if he would ever be able to walk. The toddler underwent surgery while in utero to reduce the effects of his condition and give him a chance at walking.
“You don’t know what to expect,” said Whitney Dinkel, Roman’s mom. “So we just basically take it day by day, and he just shows us what he can do, and we’re thankful for every little thing he does do.”
Roman started using a walker a year ago, and a month ago, he started using crutches.
“He was all over the place,” Whitney Dinkel said.
At first, Roman took some time as he learned how to maintain balance, but his dogged pursuits has brought miraculous results.
“I’m walking! Look Maggie, I’m walking,” Roman says in a video of him walking alongside the family dog. The video went viral with millions of views online and attention from news outlets across the country.
His parent’s shared the touching moment on a Facebook page that highlights his journey.
“With this diagnosis, you can be as negative about it as you want to be,” said Adam Dinkel, Roman’s dad. “But we chose to share all the positive things that we see every day.”
Sporting new crutches, Roman can now play outside with his brother and sister. His parents want him and other families going through the same thing to realize, that’s just the start of what they can achieve.
“Never give up,” Adam Dinkel said. “We’re going to have bad days. Everyone has bad days, and what’s what we want him to know is that we overcome those. You take it in stride and you go through it. That’s the biggest thing that I want him to know.”
Roman’s parents make sure that he knows how proud they are of him
“We’re proud of him,” Adam Dinkel said. “Everything he does we’re proud of him.”
They, along with Roman’s therapist, believe that one day he will be able to walk without the crutches. His next goals are standing up from the floor on his own with the crutches and getting strong enough to use them out walking around in public.
As you watch this video below, you will become a believer as well!
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