The first time Tianna heard the words, they came from her sister. Tianna had just given birth to her second daughter on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, and the room was filled with the weight of unspoken questions. Something wasn’t right—they knew that much.

Faith was here, but her tiny body seemed to be struggling. It wasn’t long before a helicopter carried her from the reservation to Children’s Hospital Colorado, where specialists could provide much-needed answers.

“You just need to have faith,” her sister told her. It wasn’t just a phrase—it became a promise.

And it’s how Faith Blackburn got her name.

Faith is 13 years old now. She’s the middle sister, with Jessica above her and Olivia below, an inseparable trio. Faith’s mom, Tianna, describes her as “the strongest person I know”—and something her daughter is continually demonstrating.

Faith has caudal regression syndrome, a rare and complex condition often referred to as “mermaid syndrome.” Some children with the condition are born with their legs fused together, and while Faith’s legs are not, the effects are still profound. She’s missing a third of her spine. She relies on a wheelchair for mobility. She’s nonverbal and will never walk independently.

But smiling? Staying positive? Loving on her family? Those are daily occurrences.

“She always has a positive attitude despite all that’s been handed to her,” Tianna said. And when Tianna feels the weight of the world pressing down on her, it’s Faith’s strength that pulls her back up.

Faith’s story began on Wind River, but it’s stretched far beyond the reservation. After her diagnosis, Tianna made the difficult decision to relocate the family to Alabama, where there were more resources for Faith’s care. Tianna’s sister had been living there, offering a safety net of support, but life, as it often does, shifted again. Her sister returned to Wyoming. Tianna and the girls stayed.

“We prepare for the worst and hope for the best,” she says. It’s a phrase she’s lived by ever since Faith came into her life.

After a recent and recurrent back injury, Tianna has been unable to lift Faith into the family’s only vehicle, so she leaned on Jessica, her oldest daughter, who stepped up in a big way. Jessica became Faith’s legs, arms, and transportation lifeline, lifting her into the car every time they needed to go somewhere. And they needed to go—a lot. Faith’s medical appointments often take 4-6 hours roundtrip. Missing even one isn’t an option.

But then on the way to work, Tianna’s car was totaled. Suddenly, the family’s already-fragile situation became nearly impossible. Without a vehicle that could safely accommodate Faith’s growing wheelchair, they were forced to rely on public transportation. Buses are unreliable. Appointments were missed. Opportunities to take Faith out to simply enjoy life slipped further and further away.

They just needed to have Faith.

It was Numotion, the company that services Faith’s wheelchair, who introduced Tianna to AMS Vans. The cost of an ADA vehicle was hard to believe, but Tianna asked if they knew of any organizations that might help with the down payment. AMS pointed her to Chive Charities.

When Tianna filled out the application, she hoped for a little help—a piece of a solution to keep their family moving forward. What she didn’t expect was for the Chive community to wrap its arms around her and her girls and change their lives entirely.

Imagine her surprise when she found out Chive Charities—and its incredible donors—were covering the full cost of a wheelchair-accessible van: a beautiful white 2017 Chrysler Pacifica with a side-entry ramp, valued at $50,589.

The van is more than just a vehicle. It’s freedom. It’s comfort. It’s the ability to make it to every appointment without worrying about the weather, the bus schedule, or Tianna’s back. It’s Faith getting to ride safely, securely, and with dignity.

It’s joy.

Faith loves drives. She can’t wait to take trips with her family—to see holiday lights, to feel the breeze on her face, to experience the simple happiness of being out in the world. Her little Yorkie, Fluffy, will be riding along, too—a loyal companion who’s been a big source of comfort for Faith.

And this is just the beginning. Tianna and the girls are working on getting Faith a communication device, another step toward giving her the tools she needs to thrive. With each challenge, they keep showing up. They keep adapting. They keep hoping for the best.

“Every time I get discouraged,” Tianna said, “I think about Faith.”

Because sometimes, you just need to have Faith.

Thanks to Chive Charities donors, Tianna and her daughters have the gift of mobility and the promise of a brighter, easier future. Faith is ready to take on the world—smiling every step of the way.

Do you want to be part of more life-changing stories like this one? Become a Chive Charities member and DONATE HERE.