Jade truly shines through her big, vibrant personality! She expresses every emotion so clearly and can even share how she’s feeling. She’s one of the most musical, sassy, and silly little girls you’ll ever meet. Some of her favorite things include spinning in her spin chair, playing instruments, and listening to music while dancing. Tickles, Elmo, and Ms. Rachel always bring out her biggest laughs.
Jade was born prematurely and spent her first couple of weeks in the NICU before finally coming home in time for Christmas. She had hereditary pancreatitis, which led to a hospital stay during a pancreatic flare-up. She was also diagnosed with hip dysplasia and rhinovirus. As she grew, Jade experienced some regression in walking and other motor skills and was eventually diagnosed with autism. During that process, genetic testing revealed a PRSS-1 gene mutation. Today, Jade and her family work hard to manage her health and reduce the risk of future complications.
Excitingly, Jade has recently graduated from occupational therapy, showing that her motor skills have strengthened and that she has made tremendous progress throughout her journey. She is also learning to use a speech device, as she has some words but continues to need help with others.
At the end of a long school day, Jade likes to play tickle monster upside down with her dad, which is her favorite game! Jade makes her family proud every day by expressing her feelings, whether through words or drawing with chalk, and they hope she continues to create and share the kind of art that makes her heart sing.