Special Community Issue

Jaxon, 4 Monongalia County

Jamie, 5 Monongalia County

He is an incredibly thoughtful and very bright kid who never even used training wheels when he learned to ride a bike at 2 years old. He does chores around the house like picking up his toys, and he helps his dad with the grass. He loves to laugh, he loves to swim, and he loves to go backpacking at Dolly Sods. But mostly, he loves to love.

Jamie is a heart hero, having survived four open-heart surgeries before he was 6 months old. He spent the first 53 days of life in the PICU fighting multiple life-threatening conditions and infections. Last week he celebrated five years since the open heart surgery that gave him life. And a month ago he learned to ride his bike without training wheels. Jamie is es- pecially vulnerable during this time but gives his two older brothers and his twin plenty to do to keep up with him.

Kerri, 17 Jefferson County

Xander, 3 Raleigh County

She has cerebral palsy, or, as she likes to say, cerebral palsy has her. Noth- ing stops her. Her happiness is more infectious than COVID-19. As a senior, her No. 1 goal is to WALK across the stage at graduation, and she is still working diligently towards that goal. She spreads positivity everywhere she goes, and she will go far.

Xander is 3 and lives in Raleigh County. He has already survived so much in his short life. He had his tracheal tube placed at 7 months old and a gastrostomy tube at 10 months old. His condition requires surgery every four weeks, and he handles every- thing like a champ. He’s known as the PICU king at WVU Medicine Children’s.

Rory, 7 Monongalia County

Her first grade class at Suncrest Elementa- ry School took part in a project that collect- ed postcards from all 50 states. Inspired by the project, Rory decided to support her Girl Scout troop by creating the goal of selling cookies to someone in all 50 states. She accomplished this goal by creating fun vid- eos that were shared on her parents’ social media accounts. She met the goal in two weeks and has been an inspiration to oth- ers, convincing them that you can always do what you believe you can do. Logan, 7 Monongalia County He was born at WVU Medicine Children’s weighing just 1 pound and 15 ounces. He spent two months in the NICU and, with the help of some amazing nurses and doctors, has grown into an amaz- ing kid. Logan is super smart and loves dinosaurs. He enjoys school and has so much compassion for other people.

Luke, 7, Monongalia County He recently helped a 45-volunteer project called the Sichuan University Alumni Volunteers_WVUMedicine COVID-19 PPEs Donation Project. He helped by sorting, counting, folding boxes, packing, cutting heart-shaped paper, lifting, and loading during the past 2 weeks. He developed great empathy and compassion towards others during this difficult COVID-19 pandemic time.

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