Ava W, age 13
Photograph by Kate Dye (2022)
Last year, Ava played in Miracle League for the first time. She uses her wheelchair and her walker (which is more physically challenging) to participate. Miracle League selected her for a trip to Disney World, which made her first season even more exciting!
Ava has a diagnosis of Dandy Walker Malformation, a congenital brain condition involving the cerebellum, and hydrocephalus. She is a positive force and sees the glass as half full. The fact that she can’t do things her peers can do is not an issue for her. She’s resilient.
Ava’s Mom, Demetria, says “One of the challenges individuals with special needs may face is not being included in things. Ava’s personality won’t have it and her personality is contagious. We are in awe of how people react to her. She wants to help other people, she is kind to others, and people receive her well.”
Ava is a special girl with a big heart and a contagious smile who loves to have fun. She’s a joy to be around and she touches and impacts the lives of the people she meets.
El año pasado, Ava jugó por primera vez en la Miracle League. Utiliza su silla de ruedas y su andador (que supone un mayor reto físico) para participar. La Miracle League la seleccionó para un viaje a Disney World, lo que hizo que su primera temporada fuera aún más emocionante.
Ava tiene un diagnóstico de malformación de Dandy Walker, una enfermedad cerebral congénita que afecta al cerebelo, e hidrocefalia. Es una fuerza positiva y ve el vaso medio lleno. El hecho de que no pueda hacer cosas que sus compañeros pueden hacer no es un problema para ella. Es resistente.
La madre de Ava, Demetria, dice: “Uno de los retos a los que pueden enfrentarse las personas con necesidades especiales es no ser incluidas en las cosas. La personalidad de Ava no lo permite y su personalidad es contagiosa. Nos asombra la reacción de la gente ante ella. Quiere ayudar a otras personas, es amable con los demás y la gente la recibe bien”.
Ava es una chica especial con un gran corazón y una sonrisa contagiosa a la que le encanta divertirse. Es un placer estar con ella y toca e impacta las vidas de las personas que conoce.
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.