We first introduced you to Ja’Miya back in 2019 when she and her mom, Clovetta, shared their journey with cerebral palsy (CP). Ja’Miya’s development came to a screeching halt when she was four months old after a near downing accident that led to a diagnosis of CP. It meant many milestones we take for granted, things like learning to use her hands, talk, or eat on her own were disrupted. Over the past several years since we last spoke with Ja’Miya, a lot has changed in her life. She is now nine years old, walking without any support, and wants to become a doctor when she grows up.

Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological disorders that impact an individual’s muscle tone, movement, and motor skills. Along with the physical impact, CP can also affect speech, cognition, swallowing capabilities, and fine motor skills.

After her diagnosis, Ja’Miya was transferred from an area hospital to La Rabida’s inpatient unit where she stayed for two months to undergo extensive rehabilitative therapy. “She had to learn how to walk. She had to learn how to talk, how to chew and eat, how to use her limbs,” shared Clovetta. Since she was discharged, Ja’Miya continues to visit La Rabida regularly for outpatient therapy and primary care services.

In the past few years, Ja’Miya has improved by leaps and bounds. Once relying on a wheelchair and walker, she is now walking all on her own. “I’m not using a walker anymore! That was a big accomplishment!” explained Ja’Miya. “I can jump. And I can run really fast. It makes me feel excited.” Ja’Miya’s speech has also dramatically improved. For most of her life, Ja’Miya had a difficult time communicating. Now she’s learning different languages at school including Spanish and Chinese.

After all the time she has spent within the walls of the hospital, Ja’Miya has decided that she wants to work in healthcare herself. “I am inspired by the La Rabida doctors,” shared Ja’Miya. “When I get older, I want to go to college and I want to become a doctor. When people or families are sick, I can help them.”

La Rabida has left such an impact on both Ja’Miya and Clovetta. “If La Rabida hadn’t been there, I don’t know where we’d be at this point,” explained Clovetta. “It’s hard to imagine life without La Rabida. Not just for Ja’Miya but for kids like her.”