Monday, July 25, 2011

Choosing Happiness...Another Victory for Victor

One of our studio families recently added another dimension to the love of family...in the form of an iPhone/ iPad app!
While some folks denounce newer technologies, saying that they are keeping us from old fashioned friendships and conversations, the Pauca family embraces these latest developments to improve on the way they communicate. Their son, Victor, has a rare genetic disorder, Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome that causes cognitive and physical impairments and other medical issues. His father, Paul, (along with a team of programming engineers) developed an application named "Verbal Victor" for the iPhone/Ipad that matches images with phrases so a person who has speech limitations can communicate their thoughts and wishes.
We met the Pauca family in 2006 when it was time for the newest member of their family, Victor, to have his first "real" portrait session. His sisters, Francesca & Sofia came along to be included in some of the portraits. They were so excited about their new brother and played with him like he was their favorite baby doll!
At that time, the family didn't know anything about Victor's condition, but soon after, his developmental delays led them to his diagnosis at age 2.
It is hard to imagine how difficult it was when they found out their child has an incurable condition that would profoundly affect him and the family, but the Pauca family is defined more by faith, love and happy times than a medical condition.
His sisters adore Victor and appreciate the joy he brings
Victor at age 4
In this article from Wake Forest University Magazine that tells more about Victor's condition and the iPhone/iPad app , Victor's mom, Theresa says “It helped us realize that happiness is a choice we make. We could choose to be bitter or to be better. We chose to be better.” That is the real victory for Victor and can inspire us all to make the same choice.
Proud grandparents from mom's side of the family...the Plemmons

Victor is now a pretty big boy, 6 years old in August and has just lost his two front teeth, so his smile has changed somewhat, but as you can see from these images, there is a lot to smile about with generations of love in this family!

3 generations of "Victors"

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