David

David, 12, was diagnosed with Schaaf-Yang Syndrome at the age of five. He was the third person identified with this condition and the only person with two disruptions of the Magel 2 gene on chromosome 15. David is patient #3 in the research paper published by Dr. Christian Schaar from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. David is a happy boy despite his challenges. He has been getting occupational, physical, and speech therapy since birth. David’s milestones were delayed due to global low muscle tone. He didn’t start walking until the age of three. David also has low-functioning autism and is nonverbal. He has other issues including short stature, incontinence, he needs a feeding tube, dysphagia, GERD, rumination, and osteopenia. Although David can walk, he requires the use of a wheel chair for any extended activity. David also has behavioral issues such as banging his head, picking his skin, pinching, as well as food, swallowing, and elimination issues, David stayed in the Kennedy Kreiger neural behavioral unit for most of 2019 to work on his behavioral issues. David loves having his picture taken, going to amusement parks, watching Disney movies, and Mickey Clubhouse on his iPad. His Dream is to go to Florida and visit the Florida theme parks in person.