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Family Stories

DSCC participant Dominic Garvin, 10, wears noise-cancelling headphones as he sits beside his younger brother on the edge of a foam block pit

Dominic’s Family Story

Aurea Shelton has learned many lessons while caring for her 10-year-old son, Dominic Garvin. One of the most valuable is persistence. “You take it one step at a time. You can’t control everything, but you can control your attitude and how you keep showing up,” Aurea said. “The place you’re in right now isn’t where you’ll always be.” The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) has supported Aurea and Dominic throughout the highs and lows of their journey with a complex medical condition. Through that support, Aurea has strengthened her voice as a family advocate and built meaningful relationships that she deeply values.

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Portrait of DSCC participant Malachi Chapman alongside his mother, Dena, and his brother, Josh

The Chapman Family

Dena Chapman believes deeply in the power of the parent voice, especially for parents navigating complex medical needs. “The best resource for a parent of a child with medical complexities is another parent of a child with medical complexities,” she said. Dena’s learned this lesson and continues to practice it, both as a parent and longtime family advocate. Through her family’s partnership with the Division of Specialized Care for Children, Dena has found connection, shared her hard-earned knowledge and built a network of support for her caregiving journey.

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A family of four smiles together in front of the Illinois School for the Deaf. The mom and dad are in the center of the photo. The mom holds her four-year-old son. He wears glasses and has hearing aids. The dad also has glasses. He puts his hand on the shoulder of his seven-year-old daughter.

The O’Brien Family

Jonathan and Lauren O’Brien are the proud parents of Alannah (7) and Josiah (4). Josiah is globally delayed with a bilateral hearing loss. He is also a participant of the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC). "They’re a resource that can give you all the resources," Lauren says of DSCC. She especially appreciates the support and consistent communication from their Care Coordinator. “I think it's all about having as many advocates in your corner, right? And I think DSCC will provide those and we're super grateful for them,” Jonathan said.

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A mother and son smile together at a conference table.

Eli’s Family Story

Eli, 18, is a musician and songwriter. He is also a young adult with Down syndrome and autism. Now that Eli is becoming an adult, he’s planning for his future and how to share his original music with the world. His mom, Beatrice, wants to help him achieve his goals and highest level of independence. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) is an essential partner in helping the Alvarez family navigate the crucial transition to adulthood.

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Ekiko "Yesenia" Aiken sits on a park bench outdoors and smiles at her daughter, Davina, who is in a wheelchair and facing her while holding her hand

Davina’s Family Story

Ekiko "Yesenia" Aiken was a tireless advocate for her daughter, Davina, throughout her journey with Aicardi syndrome. When Davina passed away at 16 in December 2022, Yesenia's advocacy didn’t stop. She wanted to use what she learned to help other families. One way Yesenia continues her advocacy is through our Family Advisory Council. “It really helped me to sort of pick that baton back up and feel connected to Davina and feel like that energy and drive and momentum could benefit someone else other than just our family,” Yesenia said.

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Twin toddlers Olivia and Ava Vasquez look at the camera. Ava is medically complex and has a tracheostomy tube.

The Algrim Vasquez Family

Jaclyn Vasquez delivered her twin daughters nearly 28 weeks early at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the beginning of a rollercoaster journey that led her family to the Division of Specialized Care for Children. Now, Jaclyn helps advocate for other families like hers and build community through our Family Advisory Council.

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Daniel and Diana Barraza and their parents, Anita and Jose, pose with the Chicago Bears mascot while wearing Chicago Bears jerseys

The Barraza Family

Siblings Daniel Barraza and Diana Barazza were born with the same rare condition. Yet, it took many years before their family knew their true diagnosis. The news was initially difficult for their mother, Anita. Now, she focuses on her children’s abilities and helping them have the best quality of life possible. She is thankful for the support the Division of Specialized Care for Children provides to help maximize her children’s strengths, navigate their needs and connect with resources as they grow.

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Rachel and Zach Singelton hold their 3-year-old daughter Eloise closely between them while standing outdoors on a front porch. All three have big smiles.

Eloise’s Family Story

Eloise has a rare brain malformation called alobar holoprosencephaly. Her parents credit their “village” -- a support team of friends and family, understanding doctors and the caring professionals from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) -- for helping them get through the many unknowns.

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Current DSCC staff member and former participant Lisette Rios holds her young daughter in her lap as they sit on an outdoor ledge overlooking trees, hills and a city

Lisette’s Family Story

Born with a cleft lip, Lisette grew up receiving services from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC). DSCC helped the Rios family find medical specialists, discuss treatment options, coordinate surgeries and ensure Lisette and the family’s overall needs were met. Now as a DSCC employee herself, Lisette is that helping hand and voice of comfort for other families like hers.

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Home Care participant Willa sits outside with a big smile. She is wearing pink glasses and has a tracheostomy

Willa’s Family Story

"Wonder Willa" was born with Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome (CCHS), a lifelong and life-threatening genetic disorder that affects her breathing and nervous system. Her family is grateful for Willa’s amazing medical team and the support of the Division of Specialized Care for Children to help Willa continue to grow and thrive amid the unknowns.

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