TULSA -- The life one Green Country two-year-old leads is setting an example for all of us to overcome the odds, and focus on what it means to live with purpose.
“Her last name is Cox, so her name is Poppy Cox,” Jordan Cox, Poppy’s mom said.
A name packed with meaning to redefine a heartbreaking diagnosis, Spina Bifida.
“It just felt like all of our joy was being stolen,” Jordan Cox said. “That our lives were not going to look like what we thought they were.”
After having two perfectly healthy children, the Cox family was torn to hear their third child had a defect of the spine, and would likely have paralysis in her legs.
“At 24 weeks gestation, Poppy’s hiney was born and came into the world for about 27 minutes,” explained Poppy’s mother.
This was just enough time for doctors to close an opening in Poppy’s back, and place her back inside her mother’s stomach. But with a name like Poppy Cox, there’s no such thing as limits.
“So poppycock means nonsense, and so we kind of thought her life would say poppycock to all that!”
Poppy’s parents say her disability doesn't steal joy, it shares it.
“What her life looks like is still an unknown, she’s still teaching us,” Matthew Cox, Poppy’s father said.
A daddy’s girl, showing him the ropes when it comes to reading and playing house. Poppy is driven to be all she can be. Her strength and wisdom, impressive for a two-year-old, but what is even more outstanding, her faith in God.
"Do not be afraid for the Lord your God is with you,” Poppy said.
The toddler, proclaims the bible verse with passion. Posting her proclamations to social media sites, Poppy shares motivation for everyone. Her understanding of the verse at such a young age is something her family said makes her so special. Her heart is pure.
The Cox family credits Poppy’s success to not only God, but the Little Light House in Tulsa, which educates children with disabilities.
Poppy’s family has hopes for her future thanks to the many wonderful people that surround her each day.
“I just hope for her as she grows up that she just has really great friends that love her,” Jordan Cox said.
But for Poppy, this is already a reality, as each day she is surrounded by loving classmates, each unique in their own special way. Her spunk and outlook on life are certainly a lesson for us all.
“Learning to be perfectly satisfied with who you are and who God made you to be,” Jordan Cox said.
Poppy continuously teaches those around her life's most pure lesson, and that is to not be afraid, and always try again.
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