Eleanor (Ellie) is an inquisitive child who keeps her brothers, Emmett, 4, Dallin, 7 and Oliver, 10, on their toes. “She is the princess of the household and they are pretty much wrapped around her finger,” says her mom, Keesha. Ellie’s path to Joya Child & Family Development began more than a year ago after…
Theo is a pint-sized Renaissance man with a flair for watercolor painting, music and literature. The outgoing 2-year-old, who has radiant red hair and a brilliant smile, is a natural to visit local schools as the Poster Boy for the 2018-2019 Kids for Kids Penny Drive! Theo, who has hearing impairments, can now say more…
Keeping up with Jacob and Samuel, twin toddlers with a zest for exploring, is a major workout for their parents. “They run, jump and climb. They are both like monkeys,” says Jeanette, mother of the boys. It is hard to imagine that these active two-and-a-half-year-olds weighed just over a pound each at birth and spent…
Rylan is a busy toddler who likes summersaults and soccer. Rylan was just 9 months old when a pediatric nurse at Joya Child & Family Development gave him a quick Spot Vison screening that changed his life. The nurse reviewed the screening results and referred Rylan to a pediatric ophthalmologist for an in-depth exam. The…
Nixson’s love of lawn care extends to mowers, leaf blowers, weed whackers and any other piece of noise-making gadgetry used to tidy up a yard. “He is up to date on landscaping trends,” said his mom, Angela. When Nixson hears a lawnmower, he drops everything to watch the action. The 3-year-old is becoming confident…
A bright-eyed little friend named Linden is walking! Linden was born with spina bifida, a spinal defect that threatens mobility. A few weeks shy of his third birthday, Linden took his first steps! It was a big moment for his family and for our staff at Joya Child & Family Development. The family’s journey began…
Lemmy enjoys reading books, watching Sesame Street and speeding around on a Ybike with her 7-year-old brother, Radlee, making siren noises in pursuit. With a loveable personality, constant smile and hearty laugh, Lemmy is a joy to parent. “She’s a very, very happy girl. We got lucky with her,” said her mom, Cora. Two-year-old Lemmy…
Everyone loves Harper. With a heart-melting smile and a friendly wave, Harper quickly makes friends “She loves people and likes to smile at everyone we see,” said her mom, Hagen. Harper has a syndrome that can cause a variety of medical and developmental challenges, including heart defects, immune system challenges, poor eyesight and delays in…
Aiden is a typical 9-year-old who loves to socialize and play sports. A fierce yet friendly competitor, Aiden can maneuver his wheelchair at full speed, stop and turn on a dime and hit big shots. He’s a formidable player on his ParaSport Spokane team, which travels throughout the region for basketball tournaments, and on his…