If your child likes to do gymnastics, this story will remind you that there is an element of risk involved.
Last December, five-year-old Eden Hoelscher became paralysed from the waist down after doing a backbend or 'bridge' on her living room floor.
The damage wasn't apparent when Eden first felt the pain that brought her to tears. She was consoled by her mum
Kylee Hoelscher, then calmed down and joined her mum and sister on a drive to the local shops. But soon after, Eden began to complain about her legs, so they went back home.
It wasn't long before Eden realised something serious was wrong.
"She kind of looked at me and said 'Mommy, it feels like my legs are asleep,'," Kylee told ABC News. "But her legs were in this strange position, so I said 'Eden, move your legs.' She said 'I can't.'"
Horrified, Kylee rushed her daughter to the emergency room, where doctors told them about their daughter's paralysis.
As a result of the accident, Eden's bladder and bowels aren't functioning either, and she can't regulate her body temperature.
"It's just a backbend and it's just devastating," Kylee said.
"You go from watching your 100% independent kid who dressed herself, put her hair in a pony tail...to not being able to get out of bed, and it's almost impossible to bear."
Kylee couldn't understand how it happened, since her girl's always been an active kid in gymnastics and ballet.
Doctors can't explain it either, simply saying it was a rare and unfortunate occurrence.
But Eden hasn't let the accident dampen her spirit. In fact, her positive attitude is absolutely inspiring - she even started back at school only one week after she was discharged from hospital.
"One thing that's amazing about Eden is she has not changed throughout this whole ordeal," Kylee said.
"She's still the same laughing, giggly, silly self. It's amazing that her spirit has completely gone unchanged. The doctor said that's one of the things she has going for her."
Her neurological physical therapist, Julie Hershberg, is "blown away" by her determination and says Eden's "probably the hardest working child or adult I've ever worked with."
Supporters have been donating medical funds to Eden's GoFundMe page, "Stand for Eden," where over $20,000 (€18,000) has already been raised. We wish Eden a happy road to recovery — what a fighter!
