September 2023 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton

A Smile That Lights Up A Room MEET SAVANNAH STAGLES

By Andrea Hurr with Photos by Julian Curet

Always smiling, Savannah has been through a lot in her 18 years of life but she doesn’t let any of that stop her. Her smile is contagious and will brighten everyone’s day, including that of her mother Cheyenne who says “When you think you are having a bad day, remind yourself that there are so many things to be thankful for and there is always a reason to smile.” Now you can see where Savannah gets her positive attitude and smiley disposition from.

Diagnosed with spinal meningitis at 2 months old, there were definitely sometimes when I’m sure smiling was not on Cheyenne’s radar. Spinal meningitis is an infection of the fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord. It spreads rapidly throughout the body and the results can be absolutely devastating including death. “Even with treatment, approximately one out of every 10 people who get meningococcal disease will die, and of those who survive, up to 20% will suffer serious and permanent complications including brain damage, kidney damage, hearing loss, and amputation of arms, legs, fingers, or toes” (from National Foundation for Infectious Diseases/www.nfid.org)

Lucky to be alive the road ahead was going to be challenging. She had to spend 2 months at Akron Children’s Hospital recovering from her infection. Savannah was delayed in hitting many milestones as a result of meningitis, but always worked hard to get there in her time. Her family enrolled her in the Calico program at the Summit DD. Calico (Collaborative Agencies for Learning and Innovative Childhood Options) was a childcare facility offering opportunities for kids with and without disabilities to learn, play and grow together. In 2018 they transitioned their last child into a community childcare and the Calico program ended, but only because so many other childcare centers are inclusive now and Summit DD is available to support many centers in the community. Cheyenne says that they would hold Savannah’s hand each day and help her to walk in and out of the center and that helped her gain the ability to walk on her own when she was 3. Savannah also learned sign language at Calico and continues to use that to this day at home and school. She was able to obtain her own communication device this year to aid her. She does well at understanding others but sometimes has difficulties communicating back. Hopeful for the new device to help with that. Savannah also lives with epilepsy and growth hormone deficiency so managing those with daily medication is very important. Cheyenne states that “Savannah never lets this get her down or in the way of her happiness.”

Savannah is a very caring and compassionate person to everyone who comes into contact with her and her mom says she rarely ever shows if she is having a bad day.

A proud member of the Sparkles Cheerleading Team at Springfield High School, Savannah just graduated from SHS “socially” but will be staying in school there for a little while longer. She is proud to be a member of the community and is “always full of cheer” according to her mom so this is the perfect sport for her. Akron Rotary Camp

is also a highlight for Savannah every summer and she just loves participation in most of the activities but especially anything water related. And Savannah absolutely loves spending time with her “favorite” Cousin Quinn who is always a huge help to her wherever they are.

Savannah is a very caring and compassionate person to everyone who comes into contact with her and her mom says she rarely ever shows if she is having a bad day. “Savannah has obtained a great amount of strength in her 18 years and always has a smile on her face…. She is a special person and no matter the circumstances, Savannah will make any day better with just her smile!”