January 2023 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton

A Story of How Far Love and Support Can Go

Introducing 9-year-old Adilene Korpi

WRITTEN BY ANDREA HURR PHOTOS BY JULIAN CURET

Adilene has already been through some tough battles in her 9 years here on earth, but thanks in part to her awesome parents and communities that rally around her and support her, she is thriving today.

When her mother Jessi was 26 weeks pregnant, she found out that Adilene would be born with Down Syndrome. A short time later, there were several things that were concerning found on ultrasound, and Jessi was induced a month early. Adilene was born small at 5 pounds, 5 ounces, but perfectly healthy. When she was 23 months old, she became very sick and found out immediately that she had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), which is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects white blood cells. ALL is a common type of childhood cancer but has been found in higher instances in children with Down Syndrome. Adilene immediately started chemo after diagnosis, spent 31 days in the hospital and the next two and a half years fighting it. She is a fighter, though, and won her battle, being in remission for over five years now!

Jessi and Adilene’s father, Fred, did not have family nearby during all this. They had to lean on each other and friends who were there to help. They also found other families going through a similar situation. Jessi’s biggest piece of advice is to seek out these other families. “There is such a great community that will understand your situation and has answers to your questions. There have been so many different or new diagnoses that Adilene has gotten, and I can go to friends that I have made and ask if anyone knows a doctor I could go to or knows something that could help, or even just sit with me and say I understand!” She says to reach out and find your “village” so that you don’t feel isolated. For the Korpis, Gigi’s Playhouse became a big part of their village, and Jessi quickly became involved in the inner workings there and is now on the board and the volunteer coordinator.

“We have found so many outstanding individuals, and, even more importantly, we have found a number of friends!”

Jessi says that she would like everyone to know to never put limits on their kids. “If there is something that Adilene wants to do, I find a way to make it happen … I will say that saying yes to things she wants to do is not always easy, but it is always worth it in the end. Her confidence in herself is a quality I wish I had.”

The Korpis also stress the importance of communication with schools and being the number one advocate for your child. “Pressure everyone and continually push them to make your child the best they can be because they do not have limits!”

Adilene is currently in the third grade and a cheerleader with Jackson Youth Cheer and plays in the G.O.A.L. soccer league, which she absolutely loves. When her coaches focus on her, she strives! Jessi says that these activities are also a great place for the parents and caregivers to have the opportunity to talk with friends who are with you on this journey.

Everyday, people have been a huge inspiration to the Korpis as they have been impressed with the community they didn’t realize they had; everywhere they go, they find people who are very supportive and encourage them. Jessi hopes this encourages you to be supportive and talk to people, share your story, and give a compliment because it really might be the spark or encouragement that they need at that exact moment, she says.