Child Spotlight: Jackson
English Name: Jackson
Gender: Male
Age: 14 years
Enjoys: Fidget spinners and visitors
Meet Jackson! If you have followed us for a while, you may recognize him, or maybe you’ve even met him! You would not have forgotten because his one-of-a-kind smile is nearly impossible to forget.
We met Jackson when he was one year old, and it’s hard to believe that he’s officially a “teen” and one of the coolest kids around. Watching him grow over the years has been a pleasure for many staff members and visitors. His unmatched joy and enthusiasm for other people are at the top of a long list of things we love most about him!
Jackson was born with cerebral palsy and hasn’t gone without his own trials and challenges, but with tenacity and determination, he has proved time and again that he is resilient beyond most. We are so proud of how far he has come and who he is today.
Jackson will smile whenever someone walks into the room—without a doubt. If you call his name, he’ll squeal and wave his arms with abounding glee. He loves it when someone helps him play the toy piano or spin the fidgets on the wall. And his playmate Dan is always happy to oblige! Whenever the piano notes chime or the fidget is at a full spin, his face brightens into the biggest grin and the whole room lights up.
Sometimes his nannies or friends will play peek-a-boo across the room to entertain him, and on quiet days he enjoys listening to his nannies read stories or tell him about their day. He shows understanding in his eyes and you know how much he cares. Being taken for a stroll down the hall or in the courtyard with his nannies is another favorite pastime—curiosity and wonder are often reflected on his face and it’s a beautiful thing to behold.
Friends like Jackson may not communicate through words, but this does not mean he does not have a voice to share. We learn new ways to communicate and listen every day. We consider it an honor to learn from and love children like Jackson, and we’re so thankful to those who are willing to listen and share their stories with us. Our greatest hope for Jackson is for him to know his inherent worth and to be as loved as he loves.