Javier F, age 3
Photograph by John Lowry (2022)
Javi started 3K in January. When he was dropped off on his first day, Javi cried as Daddy waved to him. But when Dad picked him up a few hours later, he was happy and talkative all the way home. By day two, drop-off time was as happy as pick-up, and he seems to have stolen the hearts of his teachers and therapists. He continues with therapies to work towards his milestones, and often proves you can’t underestimate him!
Javier was born with Down syndrome and a long-gap esophageal atresia. He spent his first 81 days in the NICU, where they stretched his esophagus and attached it to his stomach. On his first birthday, he was taken via a med-flight to Boston Children’s hospital and had another surgery addressing complications. Today, he is consuming a majority of his daily nutrition on his own.
Javi loves to dance, read books, take baths, and “swim.” He still loves to play peek-a-boo, and he has the most fun when people pretend to sleep so that he can wake them up. He waves and blows kisses wherever he sees other people—whether he knows them or not! He finds adorable ways to express himself and is a loveable little ham. He makes it hard to be in a foul mood when you are with him.
Javi had a rough start to life, but he is now thriving, and the happiest little boy you could ever imagine. His mom, Shelli, says “We look at this little guy and feel grateful to have him in our lives. We can’t get enough of him right now and it’s exciting to think about what is next for him!”
Javi comenzó el prescolar 3K en enero. Cuando lo dejaron en su primer día de clase, Javi lloró mientras papá le decía adiós con la mano. Pero cuando papá lo recogió unas horas después, estuvo muy feliz y hablador todo el camino a casa. El segundo día, a la hora de dejarlo era tan feliz como a la de recogerlo, y parece haber robado el corazón de sus profesores y terapeutas. Javi continúa con las terapias para trabajar en sus habilidades del desarrollo, y a menudo demuestra que no se le puede subestimar.
Javier nació con síndrome de Down y una atresia esofágica. Pasó sus primeros 81 días de vida en la UCIN, donde le extendieron el esófago y lo unieron a su estómago. Cuando cumplió un año, lo trasladaron en un vuelo médico al hospital infantil de Boston y lo operaron de nuevo para solucionar las complicaciones. Hoy en día, consume la mayor parte de su alimentación diaria por sí mismo.
A Javi le encanta bailar, leer libros, bañarse y “nadar”.
Le sigue gustando jugar al “¿Dónde está él bebe? ¡Acá esta!” y se divierte mucho cuando la gente finge dormir para que él los despierte. Saluda y lanza besos cuando ve a otras personas, las conozca o no. Encuentra formas adorables de expresarse y es un pequeño jamón adorable. Es difícil estar de mal humor cuando estás con él.
Javi tuvo un comienzo difícil en la vida, pero ahora está progresando y es el niño más feliz que se pueda imaginar. Su mamita, Shelli, dice: “Miramos a este pequeño y nos sentimos agradecidos de tenerlo en nuestras vidas. Todos los momentos que pasamos juntos no tienen precio y es emocionante pensar en todos los momentos maravillosos que están por venir.”
Family Connection of South Carolina provides services and resources to families who have a child with a disability or specialized healthcare need. Since 1990 we have served more than 100,000 families and today our services are needed more than ever. We focus on parent-to-parent support, guidance with navigating the complex healthcare system, and assistance with school meetings and special education plans.