For a one-year-old, it doesn’t go much deeper than that. But the more you hear about Shiloh’s story and her and her family's journey, the more you see the metaphor.

Just like the paper she loves to tear, their lives have been torn in unexpected ways, yet through it all, they’ve found a way to create something profoundly beautiful.

The first tear began in the quiet anticipation of impending motherhood. Her mother Zoe’s pregnancy, once filled with dreams and hopeful expectations, took a sudden turn at 35 weeks. 

Symptoms of preeclampsia and polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) emerged, tearing through their sense of normalcy. By week 37, labor was induced, and Shiloh entered the world with a high respiratory rate, her fragile body immediately whisked away to the NICU. Their hearts felt like torn pieces scattered in the sterile hospital environment, each day a struggle to piece together hope amidst uncertainty.

When Shiloh finally came home, the pieces didn’t quite fit as they had before. She struggled to gain weight, plagued by severe colic and GERD. Diagnoses of hypotonia, strabismus, and developmental delays followed, each one a tear in the fabric of what they had imagined parenthood to be. Shiloh’s parents found themselves navigating a sea of uncertainty and unexpected challenges.

“As new parents, who thankfully have both been relatively healthy during our lifetimes thus far, we were very caught off guard by this newfound flood of puzzling symptoms and health concerns with our daughter,” explained Zoe. “We were expecting parenthood to be difficult, but this felt like a whole other level of challenges that no other parents around us were experiencing.”

At ten months, genetic testing provided a name for the myriad of symptoms: Noonan Syndrome. It was a relief to have a diagnosis, yet it also painted a future filled with potential heart and kidney issues, motor delays, vision defects, and more. It could have felt like another rip in their dreams, another tear in the fabric of their lives – but amidst the fragments, they saw glimpses of a different kind of beauty in their daughter. Only Shiloh could determine what this would mean for her.

“Despite the challenges that she has faced and continues to face every day, Shiloh is a vibrant little girl with a huge smile and a contagious laugh,” Zoe said with a grin. “She loves to be around people and join in on conversations with a yelp or a squeal.”

Shiloh’s first year was marked by slow milestones. Rolling over, a simple act for many, was a monumental challenge for her. She often arched her back and stiffened her legs, her movements restricted, her frustration palpable. Chronic digestive discomfort and feeding difficulties were daily battles, and self-soothing seemed an unattainable skill. But her parents held her close throughout it all, determined to find a way forward for their girl.

In the midst of these challenges, Movement Lesson became their lifeline. This home therapy program, with its focus on functional movement integration, offered a new way to piece together Shiloh’s development. Zoe dedicated herself to learning the techniques, believing in the potential of her daughter. However, she knew that Shiloh needed more – the expertise of Michelle Turner, the founder of Movement Lesson, whose hands could help guide the pieces into a more coherent whole.

“She has helped many children who were struggling in similar ways that Shiloh is and has set them up on paths towards better, more optimal development for life,” Zoe explained. “We, like any other parent, just want our daughter to have the best quality of life that she possibly can. We strongly believe that this therapy is and will continue to help her progress toward that.

“I am currently studying Movement Lesson on my own, however, I am still at an amateur level and feel that she would benefit greatly from being seen with someone with more expertise,” Zoe continued. “Additionally, Shiloh has received physical therapy sessions through our state's early intervention program as well as through a private therapy practice. However, the best results we have seen by far have been through Movement Lesson.”

Frankly speaking, the future for Shiloh is an uncharted landscape. The outcomes for children with Noonan Syndrome vary widely – some never walk or perform basic self-care tasks, while others grow into independent adults. Her parents dream of a day when Shiloh can run, laugh freely, and live a life shaped not by limitations but by possibilities.

“It’s hard to say what life will look like in 1, 2, or 5 years for Shiloh, as the outcomes for people with Noonan Syndrome vary so much,” Zoe shared. “However, with lots of hard work and a team of doctors, therapists, and caretakers, many can grow and develop into capable, independent adults and live somewhat ‘normal’ lives. She will always need more medical care than the average person, but we hope that with all of our therapy endeavors, she will begin to develop and thrive.”

The dream of starting a family farm business was another piece they had to fit into this complex mosaic. Therapy appointments, financial strain, and the ever-present medical concerns added layers of difficulty.

But with the support of our donor community, Chive Charities had a feeling we could help with two of those layers: therapy appointments and the financial strain that comes with them.

We were able to fully fund two weeks of movement therapy for Shiloh for a total impact of $3,350. Given the progress she’s already made through her therapy appointments, we’re excited to hear all about how she tackles even more and continues to get stronger. 

In her favorite activity, tearing paper, there is a profound metaphor for her life. Each piece torn apart can never be put back together the same way, but from those fragments, something beautiful and new can be created. Shiloh’s journey, like those torn pieces, is a work of art in progress, each day bringing new shapes, new patterns, and new possibilities.

Thanks for helping us shape more of those possibilities for Shiloh with your generous giving. We don’t know where her journey will take her next, but we can bet she’ll face it head-on with a smile on her face and two loving parents by her side – and maybe a piece of torn paper clutched in her little hand. 

If you want to be part of more life-changing grants like this one, please consider joining our donor family as a one-time contributor or monthly subscriber. It all adds up and makes a huge difference. (Just ask the more than 600 recipients whose lives were changed because of people like you!) DONATE HERE.