Dog Helps Little Boy With Spina Bifida Walk On Crutches For The First Time

Two-year-old Roman Dinkel from Kansas was born with spina bifida - which the NHS website explains is a birth defect that occurs 'when a baby's spine and spinal cord don't develop properly in the womb', causing a gap in the spine.

According to CBS News Roman was diagnosed with myelomenigocele - the most severe of the four types of spina bifida while he was still in the womb.

His mum Whitney Dinkel found out during her 20-week ultrasound and he received surgery while still in her womb in order to maximise his chances of walking.

Talking about Roman learning to walk Whitney said: "I had to let him fall a few times so he'd know I wouldn't be there to catch him, and he had to learn how to catch himself,"

Whitney posted a video of Roman walking and telling his dog: "Look Maggie! I'm walking Maggie!"

Since his mum posted the video, the clip has gone viral and many people on social media have commented on how proud they were of Roman.

One person wrote: "After all the worst things that I've seen on the news and on my timeline today - this has really made my day."

Another person commented: "He's so adorable and I'm happy he's excited about learning something most of us take for granted every day! I cried typing this!"

A third person said: "As someone whose learned to use forearm crutches to go up and down stairs, the balance and muscle memory is hard work and involves many spills.

"This little dude is fearless. Great job, family."

Whitney and Adam - Roman's father - have received lots of messages from people saying how touched they were by the video.

Whitney said: "From random people telling us their story, you know, how they were depressed, or you know, how they were suicidal, or how they were going through these medical situations and to see that he influenced them in a positive way to change their mindset and change their view it's just so heartwarming.

"It feels like he just gave hope to so many people with a seven-second clip."

We couldn't agree more.

Featured Image Credit: Viral Hog/Facebook/Defying Odds: Roman's Journey

Topics: Real Life

Niamh Spence

Niamh Spence is a freelance writer, covering lifestyle topics. She graduated from Liverpool John Moores University in Journalism in 2012 and has switched between PR and journalism ever since. Usually found with coffee and on twitter.

@missnspence