Claire’s Story


BY JENNIFER VAROSKI


Naples Equestrian Challenge Finding Her Voice –


hen litle Claire Canfield was born five weeks early, doctors knew right away something was wrong. Her cry was weak, she had no sucking reflex and her body was limp, all of which pointed to a rare chromosomal disorder


called Prader-Willi Syndrome. Prader-Willi Syndrome can plague its victims with a long list of symptoms, including low muscle tone, failure to thrive, lack of eye coordination, speech disorders, delayed motor development and, as they grow, a chronic feeling of hunger


coupled with an abnormal metabolism, which leads to excessive eating and life- threatening obesity. Claire was fed through a tube for the first year of her life and, because of her


failure to thrive, began receiving daily growth hormone injections at five months. She crawled and walked much later than her peers and only with the help of intense physical therapy. Her speech severely delayed, she communicates through sign language and with laminated pictures of the things she needs or likes to do… at least for now. Today, at four years old and tipping the scale at barely 35 pounds, Claire loves


JULY - OCTOBER 21


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