Uplifting Stories- Research That Benefit Children and Families

My oldest niece, Jakyla, was born in December of 2000. From birth she was a happy, healthy newborn who was very alert. Around 2 months of age, my sister Constance, Jakyla's mom, noticed some unusual jerking movement that Jakyla would experience while she slept. Once Jakyla was taken to her pediatrician it was determined that she was having seizures. Over the next couple of months Jakyla's seizures began to intensify, causing her to be hospitalized many times. Right before her first birthday Jakyla's pediatrician's determined that not only was she experiencing seizures, but that she was physically and mentally delayed. After being taken to specialist in Durham, NC Jakyla was given only a year to live. On this December, Jakyla Amara Patrice Sams will be 12 years old. Although Jakyla was not the direct participant in any research, research that has been conducted on the medicine that she takes has helped her to live 10 years past what doctors predicated. In addition, Jakyla is enrolled in public school and research has been conducted in order to determine the best curriculum needed to aid children who have similar medical, physical, and mental conditions.