Eve's Story: Hope, Resilience and Progress

Eve was born after a pregnancy filled with hope and excitement, but shortly after birth she was diagnosed with grade 4 bilateral intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH). This led to early brain injury and an uncertain start to life, with ongoing medical monitoring and specialist support from the beginning.
 
As she grows, Eve continues to show incredible determination. She is a bright, curious little girl who works hard to explore and engage with the world in her own way. We are currently navigating the early signs and impacts of cerebral palsy and ongoing developmental challenges, alongside therapy and medical care.

As Eve grew, we began noticing small signs that something wasn’t quite right developmentally. From very early on, her neurologists prepared us for the likelihood that she would develop cerebral palsy due to her grade 4 bilateral IVH and hydrocephalus. Even though we had been told to expect it, hearing the diagnosis was still incredibly emotional and overwhelming.

Day to day, cerebral palsy impacts Eve in ways many people may not immediately see. She attends ongoing therapies and medical appointments to help build her strength, coordination and independence. We spend a lot of time finding toys and activities that support her development while still being fun and motivating for her.

Things that may seem simple to others — stacking blocks, balls, musical toys, cause-and-effect activities, or using both hands together to hold and explore objects — play a huge role in helping Eve build strength, coordination and confidence.
 
Through therapy, we’ve learned how important play is for children with cerebral palsy. We spend a lot of time practicing skills at home through play and everyday activities, celebrating milestones that may seem small to others but mean everything to us.

Some days are hard and filled with uncertainty about the future, but Eve continues to show us how determined and resilient she is. Watching her work so hard for every achievement has changed our perspective on what strength truly looks like.
 
We share Eve’s journey to raise awareness of early brain injury and cerebral palsy, and to support other families who may be walking a similar path. Our hope is to help improve understanding, inclusion, and early support for children like Eve.

For more information about parenting, My CP Guide hosts a variety of information resources. Browse the My CP Guide website to find other relevant resources.