By David Fleet
dfleet@mihomepaper.com
Goodrich — Each year, just after Thanksgiving but before the Christmas season, the Edenburn family proudly celebrates their own holiday on Nov. 30 each year, “Liver-versary.”
While most calendars do not recognize the late fall day, for 16 year old Adeline Edenburn it marks the beginning of a remarkable road to recovery.
At two-months old Adeline was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a rare liver disease that occurs in infants, most of the time in the first weeks of life. Soon after birth Adeline underwent major surgery at Mott Children’s Hospital, Ann Arbor. While there is no cure for biliary atresia a liver transplant is necessary.
For the next eight plus years Adeline endured countless blood draws, doctor appointments and a host of medical challenges.
“She’s the bravest girl I know, she not cry and is always very confident,” said her mother Rachel. “At a young age she even opted out of sitting on my lap during during blood procedures.”
Despite her illness, Adeline continued to attend Goodrich Schools.
“I love school and continued going the best I could,” said Adeline. “It was my friends and family that really helped me through the whole recovery. I was always out of breath and often in a wheelchair, I was just so tired.”
In November 2018, Adeline then nine years old underwent a liver transplant at Mott Children’s Hospital through Donate Life America from an anonymous supplier.
“The recovery was expected to be about two weeks,” said Rachel. “However it lasted through Christmas then New Years and ended up about two and a half months in total.”
Once home from the hospital Adeline was very sick requiring a feeding tube and physical therapy. The recovery was complicated on Easter 2019, when she was running through the kitchen at home she slipped and fractured her femur.
“The leg issue set her back and to make matters worse not long afterwards she broke her hand during a physical therapy session,” said Rachel.
Despite the transplant and the other injuries she stayed focused on attending school as a normal fourth grade student at Oaktree Elementary.
“She had no desire to miss school,” said Rachel. “Adeline wanted to be with friends and just keep going. The wheelchair was necessary but the school was just amazing at keeping her in the classroom.”
As Adeline recovered she began following her older sister Evelyn who was a standout member of the Goodrich Girls Powerlifting team, coached by Ron Roberts.
“Adeline, although several years younger, started lifting too,” she said. “And, I noticed it made a difference in her recovery.”
As a senior Evelyn was awarded a scholarship to Davenport College for weightlifting and to study business. She continues to perform at a high level.
Inspired by her sister’s accomplishments as a weightlifter, Adeline overcame the physical setbacks and recently accomplished her goal of qualifying for the state competition. Then in March of 2025 placed sixth in her weight class with a 215 pound squat; 115 pound bench and 275 pound deadlift for a total of 605 pounds.
The years of medical care has prompted Adeline to pursue a career as a pediatric nurse after high school.
“When I was in the hospital the nurses were amazing,” she said. “The often kept me occupied during some pretty rough times. I want to give that back and help other kids.”
Adeline recalls painting rocks of joy while in the hospital.
“We’d hide those rocks outside the hospital so others would find and spread joy,” she said. “That activity really distracted me from the bad.”