Eva greets her community with bright eyes and a wide smile. Everyone in town knows her. Eva and her husband, Andrew, thought the house on Alumni Street would be a perfect place to raise Abigail, 8 and Audrey, 4. An active family, the day is filled with school, dance, piano, bible study and prayer. A long torso and lengthy arms complete her 5’10” frame. Eva rarely stops moving.
Oh...and she’s been in a wheelchair since the age of 17.
“Sometimes I forget I’m in a wheelchair,” said the 40-year-old North Carolina native.
A cheerleader and basketball player in high school, Eva has always been active. “All my brothers played sports,” Eva said. “So I didn’t have a choice.” Then one night during her senior year, on a snowy road, Eva lost control of her car. The crash severed her spinal cord, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down.
Since the accident, Eva has found strength and purpose through family and God. As a motivational speaker and as a mother, Eva uses her faith to overcome and encourage.
Audrey is not a morning person. Every morning Eva goes into Audrey’s room to wake her up slowly, with tickles and snuggles.
Eva flashes Abby the "eat your roast beef" look at the dinner table. Easy-going parents, Eva and husband of ten years Andrew are rarely cross with their daughters.
"Quality time" with Andrew usually includes errands to keep the house running. After putting the girls to bed at 7:30, Eva and Andrew discuss finances and pay bills.
A casual dresser, Eva still likes to put on makeup before she goes out.
Eva teaches a women’s Bible study on Wednesday mornings. "I had faith before," Eva said, "But I needed to put it into action." The study is a time for Eva to share her strength and faith and is also valuable as she connects with other women, most of whom are also moms.
Eva and Audrey buzz through Wal-Mart.
Religion is a huge part of Eva’s life. "It’s the reason I get up in the morning," she said. Eva and Andrew work hard to pass on their faith to Audrey and Abby. Every night they have a family devotional, Eva reads to the girls and then the whole family prays together.
Eva kicks back on the porch and waits for Abby to get home from school. When Abby arrives, Eva spends a bit of time with her before they start homework, dinner and the rest of the evening’s activities. Eva sees each day as a blessing. "Had it not been for the horrible thing, I would not be experiencing all the wonderful things, " Eva said.
