January 2023 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton

AS UNIQUE AS THEY COME, MEET AMBER SAVAGE!

WRITTEN BY MELISSA KLATT PHOTOS BY MICHELLE HERDLICK

If you’ve never met a one-of-a-kind person, you can check that off your Bucket List today! Meet Amber Savage, the 26-year-old gal with a truly unique case here in the States. So unique, in fact, that the Akron Children’s Genetics Department dubs Amber with the only known case of Partial Trisomy 1 in the United States.

Of the other five cases known in the United Kingdom, Amber has the worst, however, she is doing better than the others. Because of this, Amber’s mom, Kris, says, “I give credit to God for helping her through it with all his continued work with her! He knew her and knitted her together down to the added chromosomes!”

HER CHALLENGES MEET HIS PLAN

Little is currently known about Partial Trisomy 1, but what is known are the following complications that Amber has had to deal with on her journey thus far:

• Torn labrum

• Deteriorating hip

• Extra bone spurs and arthritis

• Fluid on the brain

• Stomach issues causing pain

The doctors know very little as there are very few cases. With the support of her loving younger brother (Dylan), dad (Scott), and mom (Kristina), she doesn’t let her diagnoses define her or her abilities.

Amber is an active member of Alliance Friends Church (and has been for 16 years). Her family has encouraged Amber that she can do anything she sets her mind to by the love and grace of God. His plan has had so much in store for her already: involvement with both the Ohio Miss Amazing pageant and the Princess Within pageant, attending the box car derby (where she will also race for the first time at the beginning of 2023), helping with the FROGS program, basketball clinic, Canton Challenger baseball, being a VIP for Nathan’s Hope and serving various community activities in Canton and Alliance.

AMBER’S GREATEST INSPIRATION

Kristina Savage (aka, mom) is Amber’s greatest inspiration for all her accomplishments. She’s pushed through the trials and tribulations and kept the unwavering faith Amber can aspire to share within her life. Kris has this to share about the highlights of her motherhood experience so far: “It’s helping Amber grow and become more involved. She’s becoming her own person and is learning so much in the process of serving and communicating with others. She loves serving the Lord and those in need. Getting started has always been easy. I like to be so involved in everything that has to do with serving and doing things that makes Amber happy. We have been in the church for 16 years, so we always got involved there. Then, I signed Amber up for Ohio Miss Amazing and from there, I learned who Amber was, and what her likes and dislikes were and ran with it!

Amber enjoys musicals, pageants and ballet the most. She enjoys being around people and grabbing their attention. Amber is such a blessing.”

The road hasn’t always been so easy. When Kris isn’t provided with answers for Amber’s symptoms, she takes the initiative to see what triggers her stomach pains and symptoms. She does the research, despite there being so little information about Amber’s condition. Kris’ road to motherhood has been a challenge, too, but so worth it!

A MOM’S ADVICE TO OTHER MOMS

Kris shares some valuable advice about what it takes to be a devoted mother: “Never give up on the one you love. Be their voice and never underestimate what their limits are or what they are capable of. Have faith and believe in their abilities for God created them for who they are supposed to be and that is the light of the world. Give them kindness and grace and understanding. Delight in their accomplishments and praise them always. God knew what HE was doing when HE gave you your child. Never let anyone tell you what they think is best for your child, for parents know best. And always be the joy in their lives, giving them something to smile about daily.”