Akian

2022 Embracing Brave Denver Recipient

Akian turned 16 years old on May 26th and will be a junior in high school this next year! 

Akian was born with a rare chromosome deletion 3q11.1-21.1. It’s so rare there is no name for it and not much research done on the 3q chromosome. He is the ONLY reported case in the world so that makes him extremely special. There are other kids within his deletion but none the same and none that have a bigger deletion than his. A lot of Akians struggles come as airway issues. He has had 14 surgeries and 10 of those have been airway related with the first one being at 6 weeks old. Akian is non-verbal and doesn’t have a sole way of communication that has been successful, however although he is non-verbal he makes he needs and wants VERY apparent. He has also lost some skills over the years like walking, which is something he has struggled with since he began at 3 years old. He had a major leg surgery in 2018 to try to keep him as active out of the wheelchair as possible. Even though he no longer walks on his own, he can bottom scoot all over the house and can get himself where he wants to go pretty quickly! 

SInce Akian was born, keeping him healthy has always been our number one priority! He gets sick very easily and will be down for weeks/months recovering from an illness.

Akian is a fun loving kiddo who loves everything Mickey Mouse, Dora, and Phineas and Ferb. He loves cookies, Krispy Kreme donuts and Reeses Peanut butter cups. His favorite things to do are go swimming and go on bike rides. He absolutely ADORES his little big sister Jazaia, who he will miss dearly when she leaves for college. Even with all that Akian struggles with, he loves for family and friends to watch tv with him, and he loves being outside more than anything! He gives the best high fives and knuckles followed by a head bonk if he really loves you! And he is quite the cuddler! One of our favorite things about him is he loves unconditionally and has the absolute best belly laughs! If you are lucky enough to know him, you are lucky enough to be loved by him!

- 2022

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