Brittany Stevens - Summer 2005

Fourteen-year-old Brittany Stevens, an outgoing girl from Philadelphia, PA, is this issue’s featured CCA Teen. She was born with Nager Syndrome, a craniofacial condition that affects her learning ability, breathing, eating, speech and hearing. She has had 14 surgeries so far and has another one scheduled for this summer.

Brittany begins 10th grade this fall. When at school, she learns to count and build on her vocabulary. She also loves to color. Another activity at school is her life skills support class, where she learns how to cook, do laundry and take public transportation. Outside of school, Brittany likes shopping, listening to music, seeing as many movies as she can and keeping up with the latest fashion trends.

Brittany also collects butterflies and hearts, two of her favorite things. And since she was a baby, she began a bear collection, which, from what CCA has been told, is now quite extensive.

Brittany and her family heard about CCA through a contact at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. Since they have been a part of CCA, they’ve been to quite a few retreats — Atlanta, GA, where she had the opportunity to meet Cher; Tempe, AZ; Washington, DC; St. Louis, MO and this summer’s retreat in Nashville, TN.

Despite her physical and mental challenges, Brittany remains upbeat, strives to do everything everyone else does and has a great sense of humor. When you see her give the thumbs-up sign, she’s telling you, “Good job, baby!”

If you would like to share your story with CCA, please send an email to Annie Reeves at areeves@ccakids.com. If your story is chosen, with your permission, we will edit and publish it in the CCA newsletter, on the Web site or use it for public awareness programs. Not all stories will be selected.

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