On August 11, 2013, Hannah and Sullivan Peters discovered that they would be having their first baby. The North Carolina couple was overjoyed by the unexpected news and prepared for the arrival of their little one. Thirteen weeks into Hannah’s pregnancy, they were informed that the baby had a form of skeletal dysplasia, which lead to the conclusion that he had Achondroplasia. After a small car wreck shortly after this, the doctors were doubtful of unborn Jude’s survival, but somehow, he lived and she continued to carry him.  Following that, however, they learned from a specialist that Jude had something much more serious than Achondroplasia; it was claimed to be a kind of skeletal condition that would not allow Jude to be compatible with life outside of utero. Despite this diagnosis, Jude was born on April 17, 2014.

When he was two days old, Jude was tested for his specific kind dysplasia. Hannah and Sullivan received the devastating news that Jude was believed to have a very rare form of skeletal dysplasia known as Rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia Punctata, RCDP for short. Some symptoms include heart defects, neurological damage, and kidney defects. Jude’s heart, neurological and kidney scans all came out perfect. They quickly discovered that only 54 other children had this disease at the time. This in itself is miraculous, considering that RCDP is considered a fatal disease and that most diagnosed babies do not survive past infancy.

Jude is now 18 months old, using a feeding tube and spending his days learning to sit up straight in his specially made wheelchair, going against all odds. He is in speech and physical therapy, where he learns how to say hi and roll over, move his arms and kick on his own. This is a miracle; most RCDP children are unable to move much without the assistance of someone else. After a few scares and hospitals stays, Jude has prevailed and started to find his voice and strength despite his condition.

With love, kindness and a little generosity, a cure for this rare disease can be found.

To support Jude, go to www.gofundme.com/73q23g

To find out more about the RCDP and who it effects, go to www.rhizokids.com/