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Griffin

  • 11 Years Old

  • Autism

Griffin was born at full term without any health problems. Early on, he met all of his developmental milestones and even did some things early.  Within the first week of birth, Griffin was holding his head up and looking around as well as rolling over.

Griffin’s family started noticing around 18-24 months that things had started to change for Griffin developmentally. Griffin’s eye contact and vocabulary had decreased and you could see a disconnect when he was around other children his age.  Griffin was so young which made it challenging to diagnose.  It was puzzling to see that Griffin’s vocabulary was advanced but his communication was far behind.  Shortly after Griffin turned three his family started the process of testing for Autism which was the eventual diagnosis.  Griffin’s young age made it difficult to really know what this meant for Griffin long-term.  Griffin receives speech and occupational therapy and most importantly interaction with other children not on the spectrum which has benefited him more than any other therapies.

“Griffin has always been full of energy and was running around the house by 10 months old.”

Present-day, Griffin is thriving! He always makes people laugh and has such a fun personality. Griffin has developed a love for art and one of his favorite hobbies is drawing.  Griffin’s life has inspired some amazing things to happen. Griffin’s dad, Michael, works in law enforcement and created a program where officers visit special needs children at school and become their friend first. They teach the kids that officers are there to help and how to properly act with law enforcement and to not be afraid.  Griffin and his mom have a social media platform where they share about products, events, and places that are Autism friendly.  Griffin’s family continues to raise awareness and shine a positive light on Autism and they are grateful for everyone who has been a part of the journey!

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Photography by Carrie Birchfield Photography

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Celia

  • 13 Years Old

  • Leigh’s Disease

Celia and her twin sister were adopted from China at the age of 26 months. Celia and her twin are currently thirteen years old and the youngest of six kids.  During adoption, it was thought that Celia had cerebral palsy (CP) but after extensive testing, Celia likely has a mitochondrial disorder, which is neuro-degenerative, called Leigh’s disease or a Leigh-like syndrome. 

“She even has a superpower; Celia can use her toes to type and play games on her iPad!”

Celia cannot walk unassisted, use her hands purposefully, or eat by mouth.  Celia has endured many surgeries and hospitalizations and unfortunately had a setback in 2020 during a procedure that was supposed to help improve her dystonia (painful involuntary muscle contractures).  Celia lost the ability to speak, process information, sleep, and most devastatingly her sweet spunky personality.  In 2021 the procedure was reversed and hopefully with the love and support of Celia’s family, their faith in God, and extensive therapies she can regain what was lost.

Celia’s family wishes everyone had a Celia in their lives.  She’s joyful, happy, has an amazing smile, and loves her family.  She even has a superpower; Celia can use her toes to type and play games on her iPad!  Celia has good days and bad days, she struggles with strength, stamina, communication, and mental cognition but through it all, she is the brightest of lights and a gift to all that know her.  Celia truly is God’s precious blessing!

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Photography by Nicole W Photography

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Brylee

  • 9 Years Old

  • Nemaline Rod Myopathy

Brylee was born with a rare disease, Nemaline Rod Myopathy.  She spent time in the NICU at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.  Brylee had a tracheotomy procedure in order to keep her alive.  It was also explained to Brylee’s family that kids with severe Nemaline, like Brylee, typically live 18 months and can only use their eyelids since the disease affects the muscles.  Brylee has defied the odds, she can move her arms with help, kick her legs, and talks nonstop.

“Brylee loves animals and wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.”

Brylee is now 10 years old and has had multiple surgeries and visits to the hospital. Brylee is a fighter!  Brylee can drive her wheelchair around the house.  She loves playing with her cousins and friends along with trips to the playground.  Brylee loves animals and wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.  Brylee and her family are so excited about her accessible bathroom!

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Photography by Kristi Weaver Photography

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Braxton

  • 12 Years Old

  • Spina Bifida Lipomyelomeningocele

Braxton is 13 years old and the oldest of 3, he’s a big brother to Wyatt and Landry.  On most days, you can find him playing basketball in the driveway, gaming on the Xbox, or begging his mom to take him to the Lego store.  Braxton was born with Spina Bifida/Lipomyelomeningocele and has endured over 14 surgeries to date at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.  Braxton attends Veritas Classical Schools which is a home school hybrid.  This allows Braxton’s schedule to be more flexible when medical appointments, therapies, and surgeries arise.  Although ambulatory, Braxton’s mobility has lessened over the years and he’s relying more on his wheelchair and other assistive devices to accomplish daily activities. 

“He is very creative and has an 8-foot table housing a giant city that he has designed and continuously recreates all himself.”

Braxton sometimes struggles physically since he is unable to run and walk like most kids his age but that has not slowed him down!  Braxton is the athlete of his family, playing both wheelchair basketball and competing in adaptive track and field for BlazeSports.  He would actually like to participate in ALL adaptive sports, but he would need his own chauffer.  On the basketball court, #5 plays with his whole heart and fierce determination!  Braxton recently made the Prep All-Tournament Team at the NWBA Nationals in 2022.  He hopes to play wheelchair basketball at the collegiate level as well as dreams to make Team USA one day.   On the track, he is a lover of field events and broke the national record for shotput in 2019.  Braxton is also an avid member of Scouts in Troop 1459 and is on track to earn his Eagle Scout Ranking in the future. He recently went on a 4-day adventure to Cumberland Island where he was able to hike over 20 miles with his troop in his Grit Freedom Chair.   Braxton is also a LEGO MANIAC and has thousands and thousands in his room!  He is very creative and has an 8-foot table housing a giant city that he has designed and continuously recreates all himself. He is an amazing artist as well and loves to veg out and play video games with his brother and friends. Braxton is active in his church youth group at North Point Community Church and is surrounded by amazing leaders and friends.  

Braxton’s family calls him Braxton the Brave as he inspires his family everyday through the path that God has laid out before him.  Braxton and his family are so excited about his bedroom and bathroom accessible makeover.  Gaining that extra independence will be a game changer as well as make each day brighter!

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Photography by Niki Murphy Photography

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Reese

  • 4 Years Old

  • Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

I’ll never forget the pain of December 2, 2020. I was making a sales call for work and had several missed calls from my husband, Marcus. He rarely calls me repeatedly in the middle of a workday. I learned our two year old son, Reese, had a fever and small purple dots on his legs (petechia). We weren’t the kind of parents who took our kids to the doctor for every little thing, but this was different. Marcus took him to our pediatrician. They did bloodwork and found Reese’s white blood cell count was through the roof. My husband could tell by the look on the doctor’s face something was seriously wrong.

The drive from our house to Children’s Healthcare (Scottish Rite) in Atlanta for further testing, was filled with mental torture. Our minds raced, our hearts beat out of our chests, and panic sank in. We sat on a bed in a small, dimly lit room in the ER waiting to hear what was wrong with our precious boy. Marcus had stepped out to meet my mom in the parking lot since they said it could take some time. I called my dad. But just a few short minutes later, the doctor rushed in. I looked up, hoping with every ounce of my being she would say Reese was okay.

“I’m so sorry to tell you this. But we examined Reese’s blood under a microscope. And based on everything we’re seeing, your child has Leukemia.” I fell. My arms went limp, dropping my phone on the hospital bed. “No! It can’t be. Can you run more tests? Are you sure? Oh God, no!” 

“We weren’t the kind of parents who took our kids to the doctor for every little thing, but this was different.”

I sat alone feeling shattered into a million pieces, completely broken. Marcus walked in and I shared how our entire world had just been torn apart. We curled up next to Reese, holding him, caressing his cheeks, soaking the pillows with tears. I’ll never forget it. 

One year later, and our sweet boy is in remission! Praise God! He’s continuing to receive chemotherapy and takes a revolutionary medication to turn off the Philadelphia chromosome; a rare chromosome he was diagnosed with in addition to Leukemia that essentially tells his body to keep making cancer.

We thought it would be super special for Reese and his older brother, Jett, to have a playroom where they can go to take their minds off the heaviness of this season we are in. Jett has had a very hard time as he’s often felt left out and forgotten. Sometimes he even says how he wishes he had cancer too. Reese adores Jett and this would give them a special area that is all theirs.

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Photography by Niki Murphy Photography

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Anthony Jr. & Lyric

  • 14 & 6 Years Old

  • Quad Cerebal Palsy, Epilepsy, Autism

Anthony Jr. was born on December 15, 2005. He has cerebral palsy and epilepsy caused by brain-damaged experienced during a complicated and difficult birth.  Anthony is non-verbal and wheelchair-dependent.  He is a vibrant child and loves his family.  Anthony enjoys music which is no surprise since he comes from a musical family.  

Despite all of Anthony Jr.’s challenges he can communicate and enjoys a good laugh.  He shows a love for life and what it means to fully live in the moment.  Anthony Jr.’s love for life also keeps his entire family going. 

“He is always the energy in the room that encourages others to be ok in moments of darkness.”

Lyric, younger brother to Anthony Jr., was born on December 11, 2015. Lyric was diagnosed with autism in 2017.  He is an extremely intelligent little boy and continues to amaze everyone with what he knows.  He enjoys music just like his older brother, Anthony Jr.  Lyric also enjoys being outdoors and interacting with people.  

Lyric faces challenges every day and he works really hard to do his best. He is always the energy in the room that encourages others to be ok in moments of darkness. He is such a loving little boy just like Anthony Jr.  Lyric tries his hardest to help his big brother.  He watches others take care of Anthony Jr. and attempts to mimic their actions. 

Lyric is truly what helps Anthony Jr. continue to smile! Lyric and Anthony Jr. represent brotherly love like no others!

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Photography by Vicki Alsup Photography

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