When Piper was just four months old, her parents faced an unexpected concern: their pediatrician noticed her head size was not typical. After a series of tests, Piper was diagnosed with microcephaly. By the time she was nine months old, she was missing developmental milestones, and by her second birthday, she had also been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Piper’s journey also brought unique challenges with communication and mobility. As a nonverbal child, Piper relies on creative ways to express herself, and her family has embraced learning to understand her cues. Piper is also not yet mobile, affecting her ability to move around and get from one place to another on her own.
In 2022, the family relocated to Florida and began researching the best care options for Piper. “We spent a lot of time looking for facilities that could meet Piper’s needs,” her mother, Christy explains. “Nemours was the best fit for her needs, with hopes the doctors and clinicians would help her make progress.”
Now five years old, Piper receives expert care at Nemours Children’s Health, Winter Garden, and Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, where she is making strides in speech, physical, and occupational therapy.
Since becoming a Nemours Children’s patient, Piper has been cared for by a dedicated team of specialists who are all deeply committed to her growth and success. Her care team includes Megan Folsom in Speech Therapy, Kaleigh Smyrk in Physical Therapy, and Kaitlyn Watts in Occupational Therapy, who work together to support her developmental progress. She is also under the expert guidance of Dr. Brandys in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Dr. Lovejoy in Orthopedics, and Dr. Ikeda in Ophthalmology. Each member of the team plays an important role in Piper’s journey, and her family couldn’t be more pleased with their care. “We have been more than happy with every member of the Nemours team,” Christy shares. “They take the time to listen, and you can tell they truly care. It is more than just a job to them, they want to see our child succeed and do better and get excited when she has a breakthrough.”
Piper’s care journey at Nemours has been filled with small victories that add up to big milestones. One of the most exciting developments is her use of an eye gaze communication device in speech therapy. Through this advanced technology, Piper is learning to make choices and communicate effectively. “We never dreamed of this being an option for communication,” Christy shares, “But since day one of speech therapy at Nemours, she has learned how to use this device quickly and effectively. She is learning how to make choices and communicate. As we are working on purchasing one of her own and continuing to learn new skills with it in therapy, we have so much hope that she will be communicating with us in no time.
“Since Piper has started using the communication device, she not only has been able to communicate her wants and needs, but she has also shown us more of her personality,” shares speech therapist, Megan Folsom. “She lights up when she sees her device and enjoys greeting others and engaging with others. I have also enjoyed working with Piper’s family and witnessing their commitment to Piper and her communication needs. I am excited to see how her personality and language grows!”
For families facing similar challenges, Christy offers this advice, “Keep your head up, remain optimistic, and celebrate all the small wins. You’re not alone in this journey, so lean on your community for support.” As Piper continues to work with her Nemours care team, her story serves as an inspiration to others navigating similar paths. With each session, each smile, and each new skill, Piper’s future looks brighter than ever.
