Shining a Light on Inclusion: The Story of Lumiere Charity
Founded in February 2024, Lumiere Charity is a beacon of hope and support for children and young adults with disabilities. Inspired by one family's journey, the charity is dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming environment where every child can thrive, play, and build condence without fear of judgment. In this interview with Launchpad Magazine, we spoke with the founders of Lumiere to learn more about the charity’s beginnings, its mission, and the incredible work they’re doing to support the community. Can you share the founding story of Lumiere Charity? What inspired the creation of this organisation? Lumiere Charity was founded just seven months ago, in February 2024, and it all started with a beautiful little boy named Jaxon. Jaxon, my sister’s son, has faced numerous challenges since birth. He spent much of his first year and a half in the hospital due to severe health complications, including recurrent pneumonia and developmental delays.
Despite countless tests, my sister could not get clear answers about his condition until a specialist genetic doctor at Great Ormond Street Hospital diagnosed him with Kabuki Syndrome—a rare genetic disorder that a ects 1 in 32,000 children. Jaxon’s diagnosis explained many of his struggles, from feeding di culties that required a feeding peg to his developmental milestones being delayed. This year, Jaxon underwent open heart surgery to repair an atrial septal defect (ASD), a condition linked to his syndrome. Despite these challenges, Jaxon is a fighter—he proudly shows o his “Warrior Scar” and now attends a Special Educational Needs (SEN) school. Social settings have been particularly di cult for Jaxon. Play centres can be overwhelming, and sometimes other children don’t understand his needs, leaving him without friends to play with. These experiences inspired the creation of Lumiere Charity—a space where children like Jaxon can play, learn, and build friendships in a supportive and inclusive environment. Our mission is simple but profound: to ensure children with disabilities, regardless of their challenges, have a place to progress, gain confidence, and just be themselves.
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