Chris and Abby Huff fostered and then adopted their daughter Raelynn, who lives with severe spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. They started a website and YouTube channel to share their ray of sunshine with the world. They hope parents, family, and individuals with cerebral palsy and other childhood disabilities will benefit from following Raelynn and seeing the joy she brings into their lives.
About Raelynn and the Huffs
The Huffs began fostering Abby when she was just 17 months old. They wanted to foster a child with complicated medical needs because they knew they could provide the right care along with a loving home. They officially adopted Raelynn when she turned five.
Raelynn has very serious disabilities, but the underlying causes remain mostly a mystery. The Huffs had her DNA sequenced, which turned up a rare mutation that might have played a role. She now lives with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, osteoporosis, and other medical conditions. She is nonverbal but learning to communicate in other ways.
Raelynn’s cerebral palsy is the most severe type: spastic quadriplegic CP. Quadriplegia means that she lacks control in all of her limbs. Her muscles are overly-toned, which causes spastic, uncontrollable movements.
To manage cerebral palsy and all her associated conditions, Raelynn receives regular physical therapy, occupational therapy, medications, and other treatments. She will never walk, but treatments help her feel more comfortable and have less pain and fewer seizures.
Raelynn is a Part of the Family
The Huffs consider Raelynn no less special than any of their children. They already had three when they decided to care for Raelynn. Each of her siblings shares a special bond with her, and she is an integral part of the family. Her brothers and sisters enjoy playing with her, reading to her, and playing her music.
Sharing Raelynn’s Story with the World
There are many children in the foster care system in need of a loving family, and many of them have complex medical and mental health needs. Many families also have children born to them with debilitating disabilities.
The Huffs have found joy in caring for and loving Raelynn and want to share that with the world. While her medical conditions might seem overwhelming, the Huffs hope other people will see hope in these situations.
For these reasons, they decided to share videos and an informational website. The aim is to show others that, even in the face of enormous odds, there is always hope and joy. Despite her limitations and challenges, Raelynn is a happy child. Her family loves her and can’t imagine their life without her in it.
The Huffs share Raelynn’s story through SunshineBaby.tv, named to reflect the ray of sunshine she has brought into their lives and a YouTube channel. Parents and others in need of inspiration can follow her daily experiences, struggles, medical treatments, and everything that makes her smile.
As the Huffs have learned, living with a major disability—or many—does not mean you are useless or that life is hopeless. Raelynn enjoys her life and her family, and they couldn’t be happier to have her in it.
