two children laugh on a swing

Porsche F, age 2

Photograph by DeAndra Hicks (2025)

Porsche is a ray of sunshine who brings joy to everyone she meets. With her sweet hugs, bright smile, and loving personality, she has a special way of turning even the toughest days around. She adores her big brother and wants to do everything he does, whether it is playing outside, fishing, swimming, or helping in the kitchen. If there is music playing, you can bet she will be clapping, singing, and dancing along.

Porsche was born via emergency C-section when doctors discovered she was breech. She was also born with congenital knee dislocation, meaning her knees were growing backward. Soon after her birth, genetic testing confirmed she had Down syndrome. For months, Porsche underwent weekly leg castings to gently correct the position of her knees. This was followed by knee braces to help stabilize her legs. Low muscle tone made things more challenging, and she was not able to sit up on her own until she was 16 months old. But nothing stops Porsche—she mastered bear crawling at lightning speed and started climbing everything in sight. She is now taking steps with growing confidence.

Every milestone, like her first time sitting up, saying “Mama” and “Dada,” or taking her first steps, is a victory worth celebrating. Porsche’s family is her biggest cheer squad, making sure she has every opportunity to thrive. She is the light in their lives, always happy, always loving, and always ready to take on the world with a smile.

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.