"Since birth, Anaïs has needed several pieces of equipment at the Chicoutimi Hospital. After that, the diagnosis allowed us to direct our efforts, and Anaïs was able to receive care tailored to her condition at the Jonquière Hospital," share her parents.
A precious birth: the arrival of Anaïs
Anaïs was born at 32 weeks gestation at the Chicoutimi Hospital. She spent a week and a half in an incubator and was able to go home after 18 days in the hospital. Quickly, her parents and doctors noticed that her development was not following the typical growth pattern for babies her age. Anaïs underwent multiple tests, but the specialists saw nothing abnormal. It was only at the age of 2 that a precise diagnosis was made following an MRI scan. Anaïs was diagnosed with partial paralysis with reduced muscle strength (cerebral motor deficiency of the spastic quadriplegia type).
Challenges, strength: Anaïs’ fight
The physical impairments are severe. She cannot sit up or use her arms or legs. Her trunk lacks muscle tone. Anaïs will never walk and needs constant assistance. Throughout her life, she will require the continuous presence of an adult to meet her needs. Her parents were devastated. However, the diagnosis allowed them to focus their efforts, and they promised to do everything possible to provide the best care for their little girl. "We knew which direction to take and where to find the tools to move forward. It was from that moment on that we told ourselves we had to be strong to help our daughter and do our very best for her," explains Josée-Anne.
Inspiration every day: Anaïs shines brightly
In recent years, additional challenges have appeared: pneumonia, epilepsy due to her condition, seizures, and pain in her knees, legs, and back due to her growth and the fact that she uses a wheelchair. Despite these obstacles, Anaïs remains a fighter, with a sense of humor, self-deprecation, and an extraordinary zest for life. Eager to explore and experience new things, she is a source of happiness to those around her. "Anaïs chose me, and she has positively changed my life. She has shown me aspects of life where I need to push myself to move forward," says her mother. Today, she attends a regular school class, accompanied by a specialized educator. Although she sometimes gets frustrated when she cannot express her wishes or feels sadness about things that are out of reach, her fundamentally optimistic nature quickly takes over. Nothing can bring down the spirit of this exceptional young girl with a "great genius"!
"Even the smallest contribution can make a huge difference in the lives of families! Without all this medical equipment, my daughter might not have survived."
– Josée-Anne Pelletier, Jérôme Lavoie, Julia (13 years old), Émile and Edwar (6 years old)
Anaïs' great strength
