Olivia at her first hospital stay in December 2024.
About Olivia Grace
Olivia is 12 years old and the youngest of three siblings. She has a strong will, a fun personality, a sarcastic and sometimes dark sense of humor, is creative and sensitive.
Some of the things Olivia loves are animals, playing cards, reading on her computer/phone, crafting, having deep conversations, shopping, swimming, makeup, scary movies, being independent, music, her family.
Some of the things Olivia doesn’t like are being pigeonholed into one category or identity, injustice, most sports, chaotic environments.
Olivia is doing well balancing the mixed emotions of journeying through this life-changing event. A day at a time, she gains more motivation to learn and get stronger. She meets this challenge with fortitude.
Kat and Olivia on the day of discharge from inpatient rehab in February 2025
About Kat
Kat is a mom of three, a grandmother to one, and caregiver for Olivia. She’s an advocate, learner, teacher, and supporter. She has a quirky personality, dark and quippy humor, a big heart, and a strong voice when you get to know her. Kat lives with multiple chronic illnesses and perseveres despite them.
Kat has an extensive history of working with special needs children in public and private education settings as well as group homes/facilities, broad experience in office and business administration, and software, data, and web technology. She has a keen and intuitive awareness of those around her and their needs, often being quietly observant before offering input or taking action.
Kat loves reading articles, journals, and data on modern and wholistic medicine, mental and behavioral health, birth rights, education and disability rights, and many other areas. She is a fierce advocate for her children.
Kat enjoys supporting others, learning, and the arts. She is level-headed in high-needs and stressful situations but needs to balance that with recharging in quiet solitude.
Her favorite animals are horses, giraffes, and turtles, and she loves the color red!
Suki and Haiden, Halloween 2024
About Suki
Suki is the oldest of 3 siblings. She’s a stellar mom, a teacher. She has a compassionate personality and loves working with young children. She’s quiet around others outside of the family or when you first meet her. Suki lives with moderate neurodivergence that sometimes goes unnoticed, partially due to the work she does to adapt in this world.
Suki is very creative, often journaling, crafting, or coming up with new ideas for learning for Haiden and the children she works with. She loves to be outside, cook, shop, read, and stay healthy. She is a lover of all animals and living creatures.
Suki has a fun personality with a great sense of humor, often subdued until you really get to know her. She is a joy to be around.
About Haiden
Haiden is the baby of the family, Suki’s 2 year old son. He is absolutely the love and joy of the family. He’s active, funny, loving, and gives the best side-eye you’ve seen in a toddler! Haiden was born with a rare endocrine disorder that has gone into remission for the unforeseeable future.
Haiden loves reading, being outside, helping in the kitchen, playing with cars, learning, and singing. Some of his favorites are his family (especially his mom!), turtles, and sea animals.
Alex and Haiden, December 2024
About Alex
Alex is the middle of three siblings. He has a fun and energetic personality, often wanting to engage with people and loving to be “a part of” peers, kids, and older adults around him. He is a more literal thinker, rather than abstract, which makes intentional, thoughtful, and direct verbal communication from others essential to him. Alex lives with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 2) and, with support, he is learning to navigate life on both his and it’s terms.
Alex enjoys riding his bike in the community, being of help to people, and most of all, playing video games. He adores his nephew, Haiden, and loves to spend time hanging out and playing with him.
Alex recently finished his last year of high school through a wonderful program for students with disabilities to bridge the gap from school to community with an emphasis on learning transferrable life skills to place graduates in the workplace earning fair and comparable wages. It has been a joy to watch him grow and succeed and continue on this path.
