Vickers Design Group Archives - Sunshine on a Ranney Day

Damon (DJ)

Written by Clareece Cunningham on July 3, 2023. Posted in Meet the Kids, Mohawk, Randall Brothers, ServiceWise Electric, Vickers Design Group.

11 Years Old
Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus

“At 24 weeks gestation my life changed forever. I was told that my baby had spina bifida and that his life would be tumultuous at best. It was suggested that I terminate my pregnancy as it was predicted that his quality of life would be very low. I then sought the opinion of some amazing doctors at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta who told me that the information I was provided would not be DJ’s story.

DJ was born at 32 weeks and this amazing young man has not stopped making an impact in my life and the life of others. Not only did he have spina bifida, but he was also diagnosed with hydrocephalus. He struggled through some developmental delays as he did not start walking until 2 years old; BUT HE STARTED WALKING!!! A prior specialist stated he would never walk, but GOD had other plans.

“He may not run as fast or jump as high as other kids, but this kid has never stopped trying and would challenge you every chance he gets.”

He continues to be a scholar maintaining honor roll since pre-K. He may not run as fast or jump as high as other kids, but this kid has never stopped trying and would challenge you every chance he gets. Like most kids his age he is an avid gamer with his favorite video game being Super Smash Brothers. He is a sports fanatic who supports all of his home teams: The Falcons, The Hawks, The Braves, and Atlanta United. He is currently a member of an awesome team, The Gwinnett Heat where he plays wheelchair handball, basketball, and football. Besides collecting all of the Nintendo Amiibo ever made, his life goals are ever evolving. I am so proud of the young man that he has become and I’m excited to see what more GOD has planned for him in the future.” – Rashida, Damon’s mom

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Photography by Niki Murphy

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Kaitlyn

Written by Joe Lane on February 16, 2022. Posted in Meet the Kids, Vickers Design Group.

12 Years Old
Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy

Kaitlyn is a happy and fun-loving 10-year-old girl. She, unfortunately, lost oxygen during her birth process and experienced seizures shortly after birth. She had a 16 day NICU stay after birth and experiences many health and gross and fine motor challenges due to her brain injury. She was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at just 8 months old and has been in weekly speech, physical and occupational therapy since just 6 months old. She also participates in ABA therapy and intensive robotic therapy. She is unable to use her physical voice but uses a communication device to communicate. Kaitlyn uses a power wheelchair in the school and community settings and can walk with the support of a gait trainer in her home.

“Kaitlyn works so hard to overcome her challenges and puts forth so much effort each and every day”

Despite this multitude of challenges, Kaitlyn lives a happy and fulfilling life. She loves doing yoga, playing Mario Kart with an adaptive controller, and baking with her family. She runs races with her Dad in an adaptive jogging stroller and has already completed 2 half marathons. She loves our family beach trips to Hilton Head Island and she even does yoga on the beach! What fun! She is active in her church and participates in church worship and dances up a storm each week. Kaitlyn works so hard to overcome her challenges and puts forth so much effort each and every day.

We’re so excited for Kaitlyn to have an accessible space to give her independence and a calm place to relax after those sometimes really tough and overstimulating and overtiring days. She is already starting to ask about makeup and becoming more interested in fashion so it will be so neat to have a space where she can learn to become more independent as she heads into her teen years soon.