text: An eight-year-old abuse survivor, who was beaten so severely as an infant that she permanently lost the use of her legs, has written a heartwrenching open letter to her social workers and detectives thanking them for investigating her case and placing her in a happy home where she is loved. Marie Surprenant, from Atlanta, Georgia, was eight-months-old and weighed only 14lbs when she was admitted to the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta with more than 14 fractures, numerous bruises and a spinal cord injury that left her paraplegic. After her biological mother and her boyfriend were arrested, Marie was placed into foster care and later adopted by Michele Surprenant. 'I want to thank you for making me happy by giving me a new warm and safe environment,' Marie began her handwritten letter, which was published on Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's blog. 'Now I have a home that is nice and I have three nice meals a day.' All smiles: Abuse survivor Marie Surprenant was photographed with her adoptive mother Michele during a trip to the beach . Marie, who was recently accepted into one of the city’s top private schools for the fourth grade, went on to introduce herself and tell her story. 'When I was a baby I got hurt and you were on my case,' she wrote. 'When I was little I got hurt and I wasn't going to walk at all.' Marie wrote a detailed account of how her biological mother's boyfriend lied in the emergency room about how she got her injuries, claiming that she fell out of bed. She noted that because her social workers 'got involved and solved' her case the 'bad guy' is no longer hurting her - or anyone else. 'I think that if you never helped me my life would still be awful and lonely. Because they might not help me, not feed me or they would hit me when I cried' she said. 'But now I'm much better. I now have a safe happy environment. I am also around smart people. [sic]' Marie said her life 'is so much better', although she noted that her dog Jo's snoring drives her crazy. She continued by giving detailed descriptions of her cats Gypsy and Mr Fluffy. Marie, who said she 'loves pets', also talked about her class' bearded dragon Mr Cuddles. She ended her candid letter by writing: 'I wish that you keep doing what you do to make the world a better place and to make kids feel protected. I also wish that no matter how big or small the case is you will at least try and help the kids.' And amazingly, Marie's letter, which has become one of the blog's most read posts, found its way to one of the people who helped change her life. Grateful child: The eight-year-old wrote this later because she wanted to thank the social workers who 'investigated and solved' her case after she was abused by her biological mother and her boyfriend . Animal love: Marie also described her two cats and her dog in her handwritten letter . Never quit: She ended her message by encouraging other social workers to always do their best to help children like herself . 'This is Ms Rita your case worker,' social worker Rita Goodman wrote in the comment section of the post. 'I'm in a wheelchair sometimes myself now. I had to retire [two] years ago. I'm so glad to hear you are happy [sic.]. She added: 'I am also so proud of you. You are one of my best memories of the 12 years I spent in child welfare.' Marie's adoptive mother Michele, who is also a social worker, revealed in the blog post that it was her daughter's idea to write the letter because she is grateful for what she has. I now have a safe happy environment . Michele explained that Marie is 'living proof that "social work works"', adding that her little girl is nearly nine-years-old and she is a straight A student who is 'wise beyond her years'. She recalled how Marie learned to push her wheelchair on her own when she was only 17-months-old. '[Marie's] future looks bright, and we know very well that none of this success would have been possible without the amazing team of social workers, detectives and medical staff in Atlanta,' Michele wrote. 'Thank you for being the stepping stone that [t]his little, baby girl needed. While Marie's paralysis causes scoliosis, requiring her to have rods in her back and surgery every six months, Michele told ABC News that her injuries have inspired her to become an orthopedic surgeon. 'Every time she sees her orthopedic surgeon, she's asking him career planning questions,' she said. 'But I told her sometimes he has to be at work at 6am some days, and she thinks that's a little too early. She's wondering if she'll be able to work the night shift.'
target: Marie Surprenant, from Atlanta, Georgia, was left paraplegic after being severely abused as an infant .
  When Marie was eight-months-old she was admitted to the emergency room with more than 14 fractures, weighing only 14lbs .
  After social workers investigated her case, she was put into foster care and adopted by Michele Surprenant .
  Michele, who is also a social worker, says it was her adoptive daughter's idea to write the letter because she is grateful for her new home .