Embracing Differences – One of a Kind
Kyle and Andrea Lisenby embrace the uniqueness of daughter Logann’s genetic condition.
photos by Laura Rowe
When you have a child with special needs, there’s more of everything,” says Andrea Lisenby, who took a break from her responsibilities as community involvement manager and co-owner of Plaza Dental Group and mother of three small children to meet at Panera Bread and share her family’s story.
“There are more doctor appointments, more bills, more emotional ups and downs,” she explains. “There’s just more.”
Andrea is quick to add that there are also more family adventures, more connections with new people, and definitely more dimples.
Andrea and her husband, Kyle, who is a dentist and co-owner at Plaza, are the parents of Noelle, age 6, Logann, age 4, and Jaxon, who turns 1 this fall. The siblings share the same bright eyes, wide grins, and positive attitudes. Having three kids has rounded out their family, making them feel full and complete. “Noelle is the best big sister ever, and it’s fun to see Logann have a friend and playmate in Jaxon,” she shares.
The only thing there seems to be less of in the Lisenbys’ life these days is predictability. Andrea smiles as she pulls out two thick, brightly colored planners from her purse. “The ‘more’ in our life is unstructured and unknown, so we just go with it.”
The Lisenby’s need for structure was heightened when Logann was born with a small head size, difficulty breathing, no sucking reflex, and an underdeveloped brain and spine.
“Logann doesn’t have a specific diagnosis other than genetic abnormality,” Andrea says. “Her condition doesn’t even have a name. Her particular chromosomal deletion has never been identified anywhere in the world, ever.”
From her first days at home, Logann started with early intervention services such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy. She worked for hours each day on how to chew, grasp toys, roll over, sit up, and crawl, things other children learn to do on their own.
A strong and determined little girl, Logann mastered crawling at age 2 and can now walk independently. She weighs 24 pounds and can communicate using 15 verbal words, 10 signs, and lots of pointing.
“Her growth is amazing,” says Andrea. “When she was born, the doctors weren’t sure if she would ever learn to eat, walk, or speak.” Today, Logann is learning new skills like dressing herself, coloring, and stacking blocks.
Andrea is thankful for all the resources afforded to their family the last four years. Their small group from The Crossing showed up at the hospital when Logann was born. Missouri First Steps, an early intervention system, evaluated their situation and recommended services that would help Logann’s development. Gerti Motavalli, one of their physical therapists, introduced Andrea to moms in similar situations, and the women began meeting together for support.
“We take time to celebrate the small victories,” Andrea says, “and we lean on God and others a lot.”
Logann still participates in therapy each week and attends the early childhood special education program at New Haven Elementary School Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, she takes part in Discovery Days, at the Missouri United Methodist Church, where she socializes with other kids her age without therapy or any special arrangements.
“On Friday, she gets to experience a typical preschool play day,” Andrea says. “It’s important to us that she gets to engage in both assistive and non-assistive social environments.”
Logann also participates in DanceAbility, a program designed by the School of Missouri Contemporary Ballet that gives students with special needs the opportunity to explore the world of dance. “She loves it,” Andrea says, sharing a video of Logann in her pink leotard, her arms and brown curls bouncing to the music.
Andrea describes Logann as a light to those around her and is amazed at the way she brings people together. “The kids on our street wait in line to play with her,” Andrea says. “She truly is one of a kind. Everyone around us loves her for who she is.”
What’s next for Logann?
Logann started pre-K this fall, Jaxon will celebrate his first birthday, and the dental practice plans to expand into a fourth suite. The Lisenby family calendar is full of Noelle’s soccer matches, MU football games, the Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival, and trips to Branson and Ohio. “We love fall,” says Andrea. “We love to be out and about as a family.”
Kyle and Andrea are determined to embrace life to its fullest. “We are not embarrassed by our situation, and we don’t compare our family to others,” Andrea says. “Every family has its own uniqueness. This just happens to be ours.”
