At PediCare, every child who comes into our care holds a special place in our hearts. Each diagnosis, each milestone, each smile tells a story of incredible strength and resilience. One of our very own bright lights is Brewer — a remarkable little boy living with Cri-du-Chat Syndrome (pronounced cree-do-sha). Watching his journey has been nothing short of inspiring, and today, we want to share a little bit more about this rare condition, and even more importantly, how much joy Brewer brings into our lives.

Brewer’s Story: A True Gift to PediCare
Brewer is one of those rare souls who lights up every room he enters. Since joining the PediCare family, Brewer has amazed all of us with his spirit, his determination, and his contagious smile.

When Brewer first came into our care, there were challenges ahead — sure, there were hard days — but there was never a day without hope. Over time, we’ve watched him hit milestones that once may have seemed so far away. We've seen his strength in therapy sessions, his laughter during playtime, and his spark grow brighter with each new accomplishment.

Brewer’s progress is a daily reminder of why we do what we do. It’s not just about medical charts and care plans — it’s about building trust, providing encouragement, and celebrating every inch of progress like it’s a mile.

We are beyond blessed to be part of Brewer’s journey. His resilience fuels our commitment to every child we serve. And every smile he shares reminds us: when you believe in a child’s potential, incredible things happen.

What is Cri-du-Chat Syndrome?
Cri-du-Chat Syndrome — French for "Cry of the Cat" — is a rare genetic disorder caused by a deletion on the short arm of chromosome 5. It's called "Cry of the Cat" because many infants with the syndrome have a high-pitched cry that sounds a bit like a kitten’s mew, especially during their first few months of life.
Beyond the distinctive cry, Cri-du-Chat can affect a child’s growth, muscle tone, motor skills, and cognitive development. Children often experience developmental delays, speech challenges, and sometimes health complications related to their hearts or feeding. But while the textbook description may sound intimidating, it only tells part of the story.

The real story — the one we get to live every day — is filled with laughter, hard-earned victories, and a kind of strength that's impossible to measure on any medical chart.


What It’s Like Caring for a Child with Cri-du-Chat

Caring for a child with Cri-du-Chat requires a lot of patience, creativity, and above all, love. Every child is different — there’s no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to supporting their growth. Some children might need extra help with communication, others might work a little longer at mastering motor skills like walking or feeding themselves.


Therapies like physical, occupational, and speech therapy often play a huge role in helping children thrive. It’s about celebrating the small victories — like the first time they grab a toy on their own or form a new sound with their voice. These “small” wins are anything but small to us. They’re the kinds of moments that leave you cheering from the sidelines like your child just won an Olympic gold medal — because in a very real way, they have.

Most importantly, caring for a child with Cri-du-Chat means getting to experience a whole new level of joy. Their laughter, their determination, their unique personalities shine so brightly, it’s impossible not to be changed — for the better — when you get to be part of their world.

At PediCare, caring for children like Brewer isn’t just our job — it’s our joy. Cri-du-Chat Syndrome may come with its challenges, but it also comes with endless opportunities to witness courage, love, and the purest form of human connection.

We are so thankful for Brewer and his family for trusting us to walk this road with them. His story, like so many others, is proof that progress doesn’t always follow a straight line — and sometimes, the winding path is where the greatest miracles are found