A four-year-old girl, who doctors said would never walk, has defied expectations to take her first steps.
When she was a baby, Scottie Mae Blair was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome—a rare genetic condition that causes severe physical and learning disabilities. Her parents were told to expect that their daughter would not be able to walk, talk, read, or live independently.
However, a year later, they received a call from doctors reporting that Scottie Mae had been misdiagnosed. Then two-years-old, she actually had DUP15q syndrome, a similar but less severe disorder.
This meant that Scottie Mae was now more likely to reach these milestones, but medical professionals didn’t expect her to hit them this early.
“Seeing her take her first steps felt so good—like seeing all the work paying off,” said her mom Logan, from Tucson, Arizona.
“While everyone is screaming and shouting in the video, I was sobbing.
“Her sisters are going crazy, they are her biggest cheerleaders and want to see her succeed.”
Scottie Mae began having seizures at 10 months, which was the first sign to her parents that something was wrong.
Logan recalls the day Scottie Mae had her first seizure.
“We went to the ER… She ended up having more than 100 just in that day.”
After all the tests and all the hospital stays, the family is celebrating small victories.
“When first getting a diagnosis, everything seemed dark and I had it stuck in my head that she would not be able to accomplish these milestones.
“As time went on, we found our groove, got more comfortable with seizures, and adjusted to Scottie Mae’s life with Angelman syndrome.”
“With the new diagnosis, we know that it is simply going to take more time than a typical developing child.”
Scottie Mae has attended four different types of therapy every week for the past three years.
“Having a physical therapist who believes in her and knows her potential has made a huge difference.”
The seizures are now no longer as frequent and are controlled by medication.
With her walking milestone now passed (see the moment below), a whole new world has opened up for Scottie Mae. “This changes everything!”
“We know the day is coming where we can confidently let her walk completely on her own.”
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That was awesome – this has me in tears – so happy for them!