From birth Caleb had unusual issues. He couldn't ever latch when breastfeeding, he had sever GERD causing all sorts of testing to be performed starting at 6 days old, he was diagnosed with a Vascular Ring and an Atrial Septal Defect at 6 months old, his baby teeth didn't develop with enamel, and lastly, he started dragging his left foot shortly after he started walking at 15 month. That prompted a vist to a neurologist who finally suggested genetic testing. That took place in November 2015 and we found out the results at a routine follow-up in January 2016. His FISH test had come back positive for 22q Deletion Syndrome. And although Caleb has 22q, he is a a kind, accepting and talented artist. Caleb also recently earned his Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.

His mother Sara shares "Caleb has taught us about persistance. He continues to try a task until he accomplishes it no matter how long it takes (he is now riding a bike at 10 years old). He has taught us acceptance and not to judge as we never know someone's story. He has taught us that we can still find joy even when life doesn't go the way we thought."

For newly diagnosed families, Sara shares, "It's going to be a long, eventful journey, but it will be so worth it! Those eventual milestones met, those graduations from therapies, those tears, those appointments, will all lead to an incredible story to hope, perserverance, incredible strength, and more love than you can ever imagine!" And for our 22q community: "Keep the hope! Find the joy! Know you are NOT alone!"