Winter Wozniak was only six years old when a bad case of strep throat led to a complex condition impacting her muscles and nerves.<\/p>\n
After several treatments and skin graft surgery, Winter made it home from the hospital, but lost strength in her arms, limiting her ability to perform daily tasks.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe couldn\u2019t straighten her elbows. She didn\u2019t have full control of her left wrist. She didn\u2019t have a lot of movement on her right hand, and I remember telling myself, \u2018This might be it. This might be where she\u2019s at for the rest of her life,\u201d said Amber Wozniak, Winter\u2019s mother.<\/p>\n
But Winter and her family didn\u2019t give up. With the help of Shriner\u2019s Children\u2019s Erie, the now nine-year-old girl is slowly working to build her strength back.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have learned now how to cook many more things than I used to. I have learned how to use my hands,\u201d said Winter.<\/p>\n
When winter isn\u2019t working hard in therapy, she\u2019s just like any other girl who loves soccer, sled-riding and playing with her cats.<\/p>\n
But when she\u2019s at Shriners, her occupational therapist said she improves her range of motion through all sorts of different exercises, and she\u2019ll even come up with her own.<\/p>\n
\u201cLightning kitty scratching post-game,\u201d said Winter. \u201cThere\u2019s a little tube, and it looks like a scratching post since it has like fabric on the outside, and I get a ball, and I just throw it in.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best thing about Winter is that she can come up with a creative activity and it will be something that\u2019s really difficult for her, but she will make it fun,\u201d said Holly LaFuria, an occupational therapist at Shriners Children\u2019s Erie.<\/p>\n
Winter\u2019s parents said they\u2019ve seen their daughter overcome it all, from struggling to give a thumbs up to now being able to write and brush her hair.<\/p>\n
For a nine-year-old girl, Winter has overcome what seemed impossible, and they said her journey is an inspiration to others.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want people to know, and she wants people to know, other kids that have gone through injury or illness, that they\u2019re not limited,\u201d said Chris Wozniak, Winter\u2019s father. \u201cDespite any physical handicaps they think they have, they can overcome them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those interested in donating to the telethon can do so by calling 814-875-8888.<\/p>\n
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