Black and white photo of male child sitting on a rock outside with sunglasses

J.T. R, age 11

Photograph by Amy Keely (2024)

A free-spirited, independent little boy is who J.T. Rollins is. He sees no boundaries and loves everyone for who they are—and his friends have learned to follow his example. J.T. loves to be outdoors, dig in the dirt in search of fossils, swim, and play with his older sister and family.
J.T. does not let anything stop him. He has a diagnosis of Down syndrome. He has dealt with some issues swallowing liquids and foods, but underwent surgeries to help resolve this issue. His family is hopeful that his next consultation will be the final answer to this long journey.
J.T. pushes his family to be more social and to laugh more—especially since they never know what might come out of his mouth! He inspires them to not worry about what others think because he simply does not. J.T. is a carefree boy with a happy outlook, and his family cannot wait to see where life takes him!

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.