It wasn’t until he was nine months old that he was able to hold his own head up, and that’s when doctors began to fear that JP would never be able to walk.

JP underwent surgery at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and was referred to specialists at The Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families who provided occupational and physical therapy. Just before his second birthday, JP was diagnosed with Potocki-Lupski Syndrome (PTLS), a very rare health condition linked to the duplication of chromosome 17. PTLS causes many of the complications that JP experienced, including his developmental delays, speech problems, low muscle tone and feeding difficulties.

Thanks to his therapy at The Howard Phillips Center JP can walk, run and dance with his seven siblings.

Today, JP continues to surpass all expectations. He runs, swims and even dances, and his smile and laughter bring joy to everyone he meets!