Jacob's Story
Hello Jacob! This adorable little guy stole the hearts and inspired the talents of so many local San Diegans! Jacob is a fun-loving, sweet four year old that exudes love and inspires hope.
At 27 weeks, Jacob's Mom went into pre-term labor. Eight weeks later, this resilient boy entered the world and he has been defying the odds ever since. Doctors were not sure if he would walk, talk, or eat via mouth but he is proving that with hope, love and encouragement he can do anything he sets his mind to. Jacob is the son of a very strong and supportive Mama and a loving, active duty marine. Jacob's Daddy was deployed and separated from his family for the first two years of Jacob's life while he endured 4 surgeries and spent 5 months in the hospital. Despite Dad's physical absence his voice, love and support were always close at hand. While deployed, Daddy would make DVDs of him reading books to Jacob and this is how he learned to say his first word, Papa! Jacob is an inspiration to his family, friends and sister Gabriella. Jacob was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot (Congenital heart defect), Duodenal Atresia (Inestinal Anormality), and Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome). But this has not slowed him down... Mom describes Jacob as magnetic and an adorable underdog because of what other people assume he is incapable of due to his diagnosis. But Mom knows better! She says, "I've witnessed firsthand people's walls and barriers almost instantaneously breaking down due to the amazement and wonder of Jacob. I think calling him an underdog maybe unfair." His spirit draws attention and he is extremely outgoing. Jacob goes out of his way to say hi to everyone he passes - even those that may be uncomfortable. He won't stop until he grabs their attention and elicits a response of a simple hi or wave. His Mom says his exuberance may often scare shy children at the park because he is known to run up and gives them a big hello hug before introducing his Mama and his little sister Gabriella. Mom says, "He is ... how should I put it ... CLEVER tied in with a great big heap of STUBBORNESS!" Jacob has overcome so many obstacles and achieved so many goals such as reflux, a compromised immune system, behavioral issues, sensory and tactile Issues, feeding Issues, as well as many other physical achievements such as standing, walking, running etc. At one point Jacob was hooked up to a total of five machines at home (Apnea machine, Pulse and Oxygen monitors, Feeding machine and Oxygen tank). All of which he does not use anymore. He is a miracle baby! He knows when people expect less of him and plays on it to his advantage. He knows he is cute and uses his charm wisely. His nurses and teachers melt when he opens his big brown puppy dog eyes. His teacher often tells Mom that it is often hard to be firm because he is so cute and with a few bats of his lashes and an extra big hug he can often get his way! While Jacob may not have a large vocabulary his family knows he is very smart and understands everything that is being said to him - and about him. His social skills help him communicate in a variety of ways, including sign language. Soon Jacob will play another role as big brother to not just Gabriella, but a new baby brother. His parents share that he has a wonderful love and appreciation for God and that he is often seen pointing to the sky and saying, "God". He gets excited every time the family passes by their church on the way to Sunday school. The family recently took Jacob and Gabriella to Disneyland for the first time. His parents loved that despite all the "stuff that children typically get wrapped up in at Disneyland..." big-hearted Jacob reminded his faimly to thank God. What an angel! AND...what a deserving family! We are so inspired by his story of strength and this family's can do attitude! |
Thank you Volunteers!The family was nominated for a room makeover by a team of women who were excited about the prospect of making a difference for Jacob and his family. In fact, when Jacob was approved for a makeover by our board of directors the very same people who nominated Jacob offered to donate their time and talents to help complete the room makeover! This makeover is exactly what Cecily's Closet is all about - the community working together to make a difference for children with special needs, one family at a time!
If it were not for the following people, Jacob's room would never have happened! Cecily's Closet is excited to welcome these amazing volunteers and local businesses to our team! Thank you J. Hill Interior Designs for your creative and colorful style! You took charge of this busy project and led a group of big-hearted volunteers into action. You tranformed Jacob's room into a playful and safe space - complete with robots, a racecar bed and more! Thank you to returning, contributing artist, Hayley McNeil, for making Jacob's walls roar to life with modern, inspired art! This fun space is now super-charged, with not one but three custom pieces of colorful, creative and modern art! We are so grateful that the second time Mom (and her adorable baby) were able to take the time to give this room an extra pop of color and fun! Thank you to Andrea Gallagher Photography for spearheading this project and capturing the light and energy of the day with your amazing photography. The room shines brightly in your pictures and we are so excited to finally have a photographer on our team! Thank you to Streamline Development for building a more stable and durable stair railing and for assembling a child-proof gate. This wonderful contribution provides Jacob's family peace of mind and ensures that Jacob, his sister and future baby on the way are safe and sound in their home! Thank you Paul and Waltar for your handiwork! And thank you Alexis and family for donating the racecare bed! We're so excited that we were finally able to use it in a room! And of course, no Cecily's Closet room makeover would be complete without the help of our oldest and dearest partner, PaintGreen. PaintGreen has stood by us from the very beginning and we are proud to have such a supportive and wonderful painting team to provide the backdrop for these beautiful room makeovers! We are so lucky to have partners that work hard to make magical rooms for amazing kids, like Jacob. Cecily's Closet is just happy to be have the support of so many amazing volunteers in the community. Thank you for making Jacob's "Sweet Dreams" makeover come true! |
