What we gained when plans changed.

As the dust settled and our new reality became clearer, we started seeing the situation differently. We hadn't failed. We hadn’t fallen short. We hadn’t mismanaged anything. We had simply run into a barrier too big to climb safely. And when you’re responsible for a child who depends on you for everything, safety becomes non-negotiable.

So we shifted our focus.

We looked at what was possible instead of what wasn’t. And surprisingly, that shift uncovered opportunities we hadn’t seen before.

The Givealittle team became one of those unexpected sources of support. They guided us through every update, every change, every edit. They didn’t judge us when the plan changed. They didn’t shut the page down. They didn’t make things harder. They helped us keep everything transparent and organised so donors always knew exactly where their contributions were going.

That level of respect meant more than they probably realised. When you’re navigating something so personal, the last thing you need is someone treating you like a number. They treated us like people trying our best under difficult circumstances. Their kindness made the entire process lighter.

We also had incredible support from the 100% Dunedin Business Page on Facebook. People who didn’t know us, people who didn’t owe us anything, people with their own lives and struggles still showed up for our family. They offered vouchers, donations, ideas, connections, and encouragement. Not a single message went unnoticed.

We hope one day we can return that generosity to every person who extended a hand toward us during that season. Community doesn’t always show up where you expect it, but it shows up where it’s needed.

As time passed, we realised something important:
Even though we never made it to America, the journey taught us everything we needed to face what came next.

We learned how to advocate.
How to question.
How to learn quickly.
How to listen deeply.
How to recognise good care when we see it.
How to understand treatment plans, surgery options, casting methods, and long-term outcomes.

We learned, from people like Wes and Dr Theis, what expertise paired with genuine compassion looks like. We learned, from Rachel and her family, what resilience and community look like. We learned, from Dr Haemish Crawford, what it means to have someone step in and offer guidance even when they have no obligation to do so.

These people shaped the way we approach every appointment now. They shaped our expectations. They shaped our confidence. They shaped the way we speak up for our daughter when something doesn’t feel right. They helped us realise that being a parent in this journey isn’t passive. It’s active. It’s strategic. It’s emotional. It’s exhausting. And it’s powerful.

We became better advocates because of them.

We became stronger parents because of them.

And because of that, Hannah-Rose receives care grounded not just in medical expertise, but in love, knowledge, and unwavering determination.

The dream of America was never wasted. It was a flame that lit the path ahead. It forced us to learn. It pushed us to grow. It connected us with the right people at exactly the right time. It set the foundations for the care she receives today.

And now, instead of walking toward a specialist across the world, we’re walking alongside a team right here at home who treat her as if she were their own.

We are grateful for every single one of them.

We walk with our daughter every day. We guide her, support her, advocate for her, and stand with her. But we’re not walking alone anymore, and we never will be again.

We walk with her until the day she walks for herself.

And long after that, too.