US toddler with spina bifida has mastered the use of his tiny wheelchair

A determined toddler with spina bifida has mastered the use of his tiny wheelchair and can finally play with toys after condition left him unable to walk.

Young Archer Jagodzinski, two, was diagnosed with spina bifida - a neural tube defect that affects the spine - when his mum Kassey, 22, was 20 weeks pregnant with him.

With Archer left unable to walk due to the condition, mum of two Kassey was heartbroken to see her son stuck unable to play with his toys and enjoy life like a healthy toddler.

Incredibly, Archer was gifted a tiny wheelchair by another family with a child with spina bifida in January 2021 after their child had outgrown it.

Just one year later, the little lad is on his second wheelchair having mastered the use of his wheels and is more mobile than his beloved mum could have ever dreamed.

Stay at home mum Kassey, who lives in South Florida with Archer, his baby brother Oakley Jagodzinski, nine months old, and her military husband Clark Jagodzinski, 22, said: "It's so amazing to see him wheel around. He's improved a lot, and quickly.

"Last summer, my due date groups for Archer were flooding with videos of their babies learning how to crawl and walk. It was extremely bittersweet for me. I was so happy for the other moms yet super jealous at the same time.

"I wondered, when would Arch finally be able to get around on his own? When would he get to experience the world on a whole new level? When would he be able to go get a toy that he wanted and not one that I picked out for him?

"I knew once he figured out his wheels, there’d be no stopping him! I knew he’d be into everything and I’d finally have to baby proof the house and keep a closer eye on him more than I already do.

"He’d been trying to understand how to use his wheels for months. He basically spun around in circles for the longest time. He wasn’t even excited about his wheels and would sometimes get frustrated the second he was put into his chair.

"Then, at almost 18 months old, it finally happened!

"I’ve had to clean up water that he spilt from the dog bowls and I've had to cover outlets, again and again, because I found more I didn’t even realise were there.

"I get to chase him as he tries his hardest to go as fast as he can but he struggles because he’s laughing so hard.

"I remember the first morning that I had to clean up his room - a mess he made with the toys he was finally able to get on his own. I enjoyed every second of it.

"Now, he rolls full speed after our dogs and loves to spin in circles.

"I see his face light up with the biggest smile every time I put him in his chair. He’s a happy boy, but I’ve never seen him this happy.

"He gets so excited that he can’t even wait to be strapped in. He’s ready to go and he’s taking my heart with him."