Scarlett sparkles with hope in every step: Grandview Kids 2025 Holiday Campaign

Krystle and Chris want their daughter, Scarlett, to have the chance to enjoy a happy, fulfilling childhood filled with laughter, play and a chance to explore the world around her, just like any other child. In many ways, three-year-old Scarlett does exactly that. She has humour, sass and curiosity. She loves books and dinosaurs in equal measure, rotates her favourite stuffed animals weekly (there are three bins full!) and lives for the thrill found in local fair rides and water slides. Halloween is her absolute favourite time of year, lighting up at the chance to dress up and join in the fun. 

Behind Scarlett’s bright smile is a rare and complex medical journey. This unexpected path they were placed on has challenged her family in ways they never imagined, while also revealing a depth of resilience, love and hope they never thought possible. 

Scarlett was born full-term but glaringly small at just 5 pounds, 4 ounces. In the early days, she was born with one clubfoot, but there were no immediate red flags. She passed all her newborn tests and came home after just two days. Shortly after, concerns began to surface. She had difficulty feeding and was not gaining weight as expected. At just three months old, she stopped eating entirely and was admitted to hospital, where she received a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube. After a series of tests, her family received a life-changing news at a regular doctor’s visit. Through micro array genetic testing, they discovered that Scarlett had an ultra-rare genetic deletion of the third chromosome (deletion of region 3p13p12.3). She is the 14th documented case in the world with that specific deletion.  

There was no roadmap, no named syndrome and very few answers. 

“It was a Friday the 13th – a day we’ll never forget,” says her mom, Krystle. “We were scared, overwhelmed and heartbroken. But at the same time, we were relieved to have an explanation and now a way to start putting the pieces together.” 

Scarlett’s diagnosis has been associated with developmental delays, failure-to-thrive, slow growth and dysmorphic facial features. For Scarlett, this affects her mobility, communication and development. She is not yet able to walk on her own and communicates using gestures, expressions and her own version of sign language. She relies on a gastrostomy tube (G-Tube) for nutrition and assistance with her daily routine, one that is carefully planned around feedings and medical appointments. 

Scarlett’s paediatrician referred her to Grandview Kids after receiving her diagnosis at six months old. They were bracing for a long wait, but instead, they were welcomed quickly into a circle of care. “From the moment we started at Grandview, we felt supported,” says Krystle. “We met with a multifaceted team for physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. They saw Scarlett not for what she couldn’t do, but for everything she could become.” That mindset changed everything. 

Over the years, Grandview Kids has helped Scarlett and her family navigate everything from mobility and communication to feeding strategies and equipment needs.  

She receives regular hearing checks and sees specialists to monitor her growth and development. She also has custom orthotics, trialled different walkers and is working toward greater independence every day. Scarlett has progressed more quickly than anyone expected, moving from knee-foot orthoses (KFOs) to ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) to supramalleolar orthoses (SMOs) in record time. “Her physiotherapist, Jessica T., hadn’t seen anyone make that kind of progress in such a short period,” says Chris. “It gave us real hope.” 

Each of Scarlett’s therapists have made lasting impressions, but Jessica, has become a trusted champion for Scarlett. “She goes above and beyond,” says Krystle. “She never gives up on Scarlett, always thinking of what’s next, how to push her further. She helped get equipment for Scarlett to use at daycare, so she can eat and move around like the other kids. That made such a difference for our whole family.” This encouragement compelled Krystle and Chris to nominate Jessica for Grandview Kids’ 2025 Power of One award, which she did in fact win. This award demonstrates the incredible impact she has made on the families she works with, families like Scarlett’s. 

“Without Grandview’s support, we don’t know where we’d be,” says Chris. “They’ve given us the tools, therapies and, most importantly, the belief that Scarlett can continue to grow and thrive.” While the road has not been easy, Krystle and Chris are incredibly proud of how far Scarlett has come and are also filled with cautious optimism about what is to come. “She’s our first child, and like any parent, we had expectations. First steps, first words, the typical milestones,” Krystle shares. “But our path has looked different and that’s okay. She’s happy. She’s smart. She loves daycare and being around other kids. There’s excitement when thinking of the future now. She’s accomplished so much in 3 years. What will she do in the next 3 years? 10 years?” 

As this year’s Holiday Campaign Ambassador Family, Krystle and Chris want their story to inspire not just hope, but action.  

“Every donation to Grandview makes a difference,” says Krystle. “It helps families like ours access therapies that open doors for kids with disabilities. It gives them a chance to feel included, to be part of something, to just be kids.” The Family Engagement Team’s events like Accessible Trick-or-Treating and Pumpkin Palooza mean the world to families who are often left out. “When you’re surrounded by other families who understand, who are living a similar reality, you feel seen,” Krystle adds. The overwhelm becomes joy. The unknown and isolation turn into connection and community. With your help, this is the gift Grandview Kids can give to families like Scarlett’s.