Janelle Joswick - Fall 2006

Janelle Joswick is four years old and lives in Spring, TX. She attends preschool in the mornings, where she spends her time drawing, playing games and singing. Although there are 20 kids in her preschool class, Janelle especially likes to play with classmate and good friend, Olivia, and her best friend, Rachel. Outside of school, Janelle also likes to play with her friend Lauren.

She’s a dancer, too. Janelle takes ballet, tap and gymnastics classes, and she performed last May in a recital. When she’s not dancing, she plays with her Barbie dolls, and likes watching movies. Her favorite colors are pink and purple. When she grows up, Janelle wants to be a teacher or a princess.

Janelle was born with Goldenhar syndrome. She has had four surgeries so far, one of them being an open-heart surgery. She has no other procedures scheduled in the near future, but she will have to undergo more as she grows older. Sometimes people ask questions about Janelle’s condition, or at times they just stare. Her mom says that Janelle tells anyone who asks, “That’s the way I am.”

Janelle and her family have been a part of CCA for the past two and half years. They had a great time at this year’s retreat in Hershey, PA, where they had the opportunity to participate in fun activities and meet lots of new friends.

If you would like to share your story with CCA, please send an email to Annie Reeves at areeves@ccakids.com. If your story is chosen, with your permission, we will edit and publish it in the CCA newsletter, on the Web site or use it for public awareness programs. Not all stories will be selected.

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