Black and white photo of male child in batman jacket smiling in his backyard

Mia S, age 9

Photograph by Crush Rush (2024)

Sunshine girl, as she’s known by her family, Mia is an outgoing, silly, and funny 9-year-old girl. Her empathetic nature and ability to show kindness and acceptance of others allows her to easily make new friends and allows her to quickly become the life of the party.
Mia’s creative imagination and zest for life are part of what helps her to find enjoyment in so many things. Some of her favorite things to do are dance, swim, be outdoors, watch TV, and play on her tablet. No matter where she is, she adores being with her sister and friends.
Mia continues to grow and blossom as she learns to navigate life with multiple disabilities, including apraxia of speech, ADHD, and autism. One of her more recent, and exciting, milestones was when she was able to write the word “Mom” for the first time. This moment moved her mom to tears, saying, “Mia has taught me patience, and through her example, I have learned to stand up for what I want and need.”
Mia’s family’s hope is for others to see the way Mia loves unconditionally and that she is seen as a person who deserves love and respect just the same as any other person.

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.