Savanna and her twin sister, Sierra, entered the world 12 weeks prematurely, each weighing just over two pounds. From the very beginning, Savanna faced significant medical and developmental challenges. At 18 months old, she was diagnosed with Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL), Cerebral Palsy, and Sensory Processing Disorder. Just seven months later, at only 25 months of age, she underwent a life-
changing procedure—Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) surgery. After 11 weeks of intensive therapy, she proudly achieved a major milestone: being classified as an independent walker. Despite this early progress, Savanna continued to struggle with poor balance and persistent muscle tightness. At ages 4 and 5, she received Botox injections followed by serial casting—temporary interventions that offered only short-term relief from her severe toe-walking. Hope emerged in the form of a groundbreaking clinical trial at Duke University. Savanna received three rounds of donor umbilical cord stem cells, a treatment that appeared to “awaken” her brain. Her family observed meaningful improvements in her clarity, communication, self-regulation, and sensory processing. She then underwent Selective Percutaneous Myofascial Lengthening (SPML) surgery, along with nerve blocks and muscle releases, in Houston, Texas. She was orthopedic (leg braces) free! But Savanna’s challenges extended beyond mobility. After years of feeding difficulties and multiple unsuccessful attempts at intensive feeding therapy, she was diagnosed at age 8 with ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and Failure to Thrive. At age 9, she received a G-tube to ensure adequate nutrition. With tube feedings four times a day, she finally began to gain weight and grow. Her educational journey has been equally complex. After three years of homeschooling, she transitioned to a traditional school setting. Despite a well-structured IEP, her academic progress remained limited. By age 11, her reading level was still far below grade level, prompting a return to homeschooling. Around this time, she received additional diagnoses: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Disorder, Severe Dyslexia and Dysgraphia (despite interventions since age 6), and a Moderate Language Disorder.
