8-year-old Gabriella Bilbrey has overcome the challenges of her disability since birth. Born without fully devleoped legs, Gabby’s physical therapist encouraged her to participate in the local climbing gym’s children program, and for a year she has returned every week. Despite her disability Gabby lives life like any ordinary child refusing to let her condition define her.
This story was documented by Freshman Bradi Hawkins of Lawrencburg, KY during her first photography class in WKU Visual Journalism & Photography program.
Gabby’s physical therapist informed the family about the center’s climbing program for children. “At first she said she didn’t know because she was afraid of heights,” Gabby’s adoptive mother Betsy Bilbrey said. “But she went to the very top the very first time. She did it, and then she liked it.” Now in her second year with the program, Gabby attends climbing sessions every Wednesday.
Gabby was adopted two days after her birth in 2016. Her biological parents who had avoided medical care during pregnancy due to fear of deportation were unaware that her legs had not developed in utero.
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