My name is Hannah and I’m 19 years old. I live in Mooresville NC with my parents and two dogs named Gus and Huck. I attend Lake Norman High School and graduated last year,but I can attend there until I’m 22. I have one brother who is 27. He lives and works in Charlotte. He graduated from West Virginia University in 2014 and I love seeing him every chance I get. 
I was born on November 2,1999 and my parents have always said I was a very happy baby. I was meeting all my milestones up until around 11 months and then I started losing my abilities. My mom took to me lots of specialist and no one knew what was wrong with me. I had many tests and lots of blood work and was finally sent to see a genetic specialist at Duke Hospital. Dr. McDonald told my parents she thought I might have a rare syndrome called Rett. She did some tests and blood work and 6 weeks later the diagnosis of Rett Syndrome was confirmed. I was the second girl to be diagnosed at Duke with Rett...guess that makes me pretty special. 
My new journey began with my parents learning all they could about my new diagnosis. They mostly learned that it is so rare that none of my doctors had heard of it and the closest Rett doctorto us was at University of Alabama, Birmingham, soI took my first plane flight at 20 months of age.  
Rett is a rare neurological syndrome that’s almost exclusively in females. Symptoms include problems with language, coordination and repetitive movements. Complications include seizures, scoliosis, GI issues, breathing issues and sleeping problems. These symptoms vary from girl to girl. In my case, I never was able to speak but I did crawland walk with assistance. I’m still today able to hold your hand and other objects and pat my musical toys. I have had complications of seizures, scoliosis and a hip surgery that was not successful and to this day still causes me pain. Due to the poor outcome of the surgery, I lost my ability to walk and sit up on my own. I have physical therapy twice a week at home and OT and speech at school each week. 
I am a very happy girl most all the time and love being around my peers. My mom calls me a social butterfly and I’m knownfor my stylish ways. I have a best typical friend who I love to hang out with,and we have made lots of memories together. 
My hobbies include music, art, horseback therapy and swimming. I began riding at Wings of Eagles when I was three years old. When I first began,I could not hold myself up very straight,so a ballwas placed in front of me for support but by the spring horse show,I was riding without it! Horseback therapy has helped me in so many ways from gaining core strength to helping me postoperatively with my hip surgery. I love coming to the ranch and look forward to camp every year where I get to participate in everything that’s offered. The ranch has gifted me and my family with great friends and support and I’m so thankful to Wings of Eagles for making it possible for me to experience life there. I have zip lined, climbed the rock wall and been a flying squirrel and,through camp,have been blessed in more ways than I can say. My parents have also taken me on boats, jet skis and airplane rides. I have been to Disney World, Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas. I would say my second happiest place on earth is Disney World and my favorite ride is The Snow Whiteroller coaster. 
I spend my weeks in school and attend Williamson Chapel Church and love to hear the Praise band sing. I love food and have a big sweet tooth. 
I have been painting on canvas for about seven years now with a local artist and with the help of my parents,I develop a calendar each year to sell to raise awareness and fundsfor Rett Syndrome Research. My calendars have become so popular that I now have an art show every year to showcase my paintings!I now sellnotecards and prints of my paintings and,when my mom can let them go,some originals. This is my way of expressing myself and gives me great purpose with donating the money to help find a cure for Rett.  
My Dad has been fighting colon cancer for twelve years and I have dedicated several of my paintings to him. He tells me all the time that I have given him the strength to fight his disease. I know God has a plan for us all and my family and I have a strong faith in God and His plan. I feel so blessed to have so much support from my family and friends. Rett has given me many challenges but God has seen me through them,and I can’t imagine my life any different. My mom always tells me she has met the most special people through me...like I said, God always has a plan!
"​It's a place I can come and experience events that are at times limited to me in the "real world". At Wings of Eagles, I don't feel those limitations...I feel a lot of love, support and encouragement!..."

​"These are words I never hear...Can't, wont' be able to, impossible, too hard, maybe. Instead I hear...You can do it, everything is possible, way to go, nothing is too hard and so many more encouraging words and phrases."
​                                                                                                                                                    Trish Carpenter (mom to Hannah)
Have you been involved at The Ranch and have a story or testimony you would like to share with us?
Email us at wingsofeaglesranch@gmail.com and let us know!