Jenna Grace Spiker
Five-year-old Jenna Grace is sweet and full of life. She loves music, being a Girl Scout and participating in service projects. She enjoys taking part in hippotherapy which is the use of horseback riding as a therapeutic or rehabilitative treatment, especially as a means of improving coordination, balance, and strength.
Jenna Grace was diagnosed with Rett syndrome and autism. Rett syndrome is a rare, severe neurological disorder that affects mostly girls. It’s usually discovered in the first two years of life. In the past, it was felt to be a part of the Autism Spectrum Disorder but it is now known to be mostly genetically based.
This little girl brings great joy to her parents, Donald and Angela Spiker, of DeSoto. Even though she can not talk and has many physical and cognitive disabilities, she continues to teach those around her that unconditional love is really all that matters. Everyone should be able to live in true happiness like Jenna Grace does.