After 57 days in the hospital, 15-year-old India Brainard who has cerebral palsy got a surprise visit on Thursday from her boyfriend, Daniel, ABC News reported.
Earlier this year, India underwent a dual hip replacement procedure and femur re-alignment surgery in Boston. Her legs and one of her arms are paralyzed, according to ABC News.
India was supposed to be home from the hospital three weeks after her surgery, but ended up staying much longer than expected, and is now recovering in a hospital in New Mexico.
Her father, Donnie Brainard, planned for her boyfriend to visit her in the hospital, hoping to perk her up. He also caught the touching reunion on video.
"So if you could see anybody today, who would you want to see? Daniel?" Brainard asked his daughter while videotaping her reaction. "Gosh, wouldn't it be amazing if Daniel were to show up today?"
He then wheeled her around so she could see Daniel herself -- her excitement is contagious!
We don't know what's cuter, the way they immediately reach for each other's hands or the fact that she can't stop smiling as she recites his name over and over again.
"The joy of knowing my child had been given the opportunity to feel the happiness at 14 of having a boyfriend, the butterflies, the excitement; this love is a gift that most never experience," Brainard wrote in a blog post describing how the young couple first met.
In addition to cerebral palsy, India has seizure disorder and cortical visual impairment. While her family has some insurance, they say they are "in desperate need" of financial assistance during this post-surgery recovery period.
So far, they have raised almost $12,500 through crowd-funding website, YouCaring, to pay for her medical expenses. They still have a way to go to reach their goal of $50,000.
"I sit here this morning reaching out to the world for help," Brainard wrote on the site. "As I once was wealthy and poured a fortune into my child's care as well as so many others. I’m now in a dire financial position and am humbly asking for help to ensure India receives the medical care she needs."
If you want to help the Brainard family reach their goal, you can donate here.
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