When Savanah was born, Kelly immediately sensed something was wrong. Her newborn daughter was having seizures, something only a mother’s intuition could pick up before anyone else noticed. After a full day of having seizures, Savanah was transferred to the NICU, where she spent the first six weeks of her life growing, and showing just how strong she was.
As Savanah grew, Kelly noticed she wasn’t meeting key milestones. “I felt early on that she likely had cerebral palsy,” she remembers. The diagnosis was confirmed at age two. Instead of mourning the life she had imagined, Kelly embraced the one in front of her. She often reflects on Welcome to Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley, a poem about expecting a trip to Italy but landing in Holland instead. Unexpected, different, yet full of its own unique beauty. “If you spend your life mourning what you didn’t get, you miss the beauty of what you did get,” Kelly says.
For her, that beauty is Savanah.
“Savanah has taught me so much,” Kelly shares. “Her gift to this world is love. She loves everyone who loves her. We have so much fun and just embrace the day, every day.”
That spirit touches everyone around her. Kelly recalls a moment at school when a student having a tough day was asked to spend time reading with Savanah. Her entire attitude transformed after their interaction. “She inspires so many people and simply makes others happy,” Kelly says. It’s something she does effortlessly: bringing people together through kindness and presence.
That sense of connection came to life in the most powerful way at Savanah’s foam-filled 9th birthday party.
Savanah invited a new friend from school, a child with CP who had never been invited to a birthday party before. Hearing that moved Kelly deeply. For her, creating inclusive moments is non-negotiable. “To be able to bring families together and say, ‘we can all be together,’ is something very special,” she says. “You just have to have the party and do as many things as you can, so you and your child don’t miss out on community.”
This year’s celebration held a surprise that would make it unforgettable for everyone. Members of the Schaumburg, Illinois Fire Department and Project FireBuddies arrived to present Savanah with her very own Guided Hands® device.
Project FireBuddies is known for supporting children facing medical challenges with joy-filled visits, connection, and community care. When they learned about Savanah and the impact Guided Hands® could have on her independence, they stepped up to make something extraordinary happen.
ImaginAble Solutions worked with the family to prepare a news release and coordinate the firefighters’ attendance, making sure the moment was captured by local media and celebrated the way Savanah deserved.
When the firefighters arrived at her foam-filled birthday party with lights, smiles, and uniforms, the party got even more exciting. The firefighters didn’t just bring a gift, they gave a clear message that Savanah’s journey matters, and her community stands with her.
Before receiving Guided Hands®, Savanah needed hand-over-hand support for most creative tasks. “She can pick items up, but she can’t hold anything for long,” Kelly says. “She loves to mic drop.”
“For her whole life, I have literally been her Guided Hands,” she adds. “Now she colours without me! It is so cool that she can do things independently.”
Kelly first discovered the device at the ImaginAble Solutions booth at the Chicago Abilities Expo, where she spoke with sales and customer support manager, Celeste, and immediately saw its potential for Savanah. The FireBuddies’ gift made that dream a reality.
Today, Savanah continues to work hard in her physical, occupational, and speech therapies. But therapy isn’t what defines her. She is a vibrant nine-year-old girl who lights up a room, brings people together, and inspires everyone she meets.
Her journey is a reminder that while some families land in Holland, what they find there—community, joy, and unexpected beauty—can be even more special than what they imagined. And for those lucky enough to meet Savanah, the impact of her smile, her strength, and her spirit is unforgettable.
