Igniting the spark of genius in every child
Sparking Magic in Every Moment - Say Hello to Kadence Cantrice
Hey there! It's me, Kadence Cantrice! Guess what? My life's been a wild ride from the very start. Yeah, I was born with this thing called absent septum pellucidum, and my right eye's optic nerve decided to be a bit different. I'm also rocking life with dyslexia and ADHD. Yeah, it's a mouthful, but it's all part of the Kadence experience. I've been on more doctor dates than playground ones, visiting over 200 doctors before my third birthday. But guess what? I'm still shining bright!
My teams of docs includes a pretty cool neurologist, ophthalmologist, pulmonologist, ENT, and even an endocrinologist. Wait I almost forgot about my neuropsychologist that makes sure I play well with others. We meet up regularly, like a superhero team checking in on their latest mission. And through it all, my spirit's as vibrant as ever!
Creativity is my middle name—well, not really, but you get the idea! Whether I'm belting out tunes, doodling dreams into reality, or cooking up a storm, I'm here to spread that Kadence cheer far and wide. My imagination's limitless, and I'm always eager to explore new ways to express myself and inspire everyone around me.
And here’s the coolest part: I’ve turned into a champion for kids like me – whether they’re dancing to their own beat because they're neurodivergent or facing health challenges that make them super unique. Now, I've taken up the mantle to be the voice for all the incredible kids out there—whether they're navigating the world of neurodiversity with ADHD and dyslexia like me, or they're visiting a whole team of doctors just to keep being awesome. Sharing my story, I hope to light up paths with hope, laughter, and maybe a little bit of Kadence magic.
Navigating Life's Twists with Heart and Heroism!
From the very start, my journey’s been a bit of an adventure. Even before I made my grand entrance into the world, doctors discovered I had absence septum pellucidum. It sounded serious, and well, it kind of was. By the time I was just 9 months old, an MRI showed there was a bit more going on up there in my brain than what everyone thought.
My story isn’t just about one or two visits to the doctor. Nope, I’ve been to over 200 doctor’s appointments! I’ve tackled everything from torticollis, which meant 9 months of physical therapy (I started young!), to overcoming two eye surgeries and beginning to wear glasses at the age of 3. Oh, and let’s not forget the tubes I got in my ears at 2 to help with those pesky chronic ear infections.
By the time I turned 5, another piece of my puzzle was revealed with an ADHD diagnosis. Then at 7, dyslexia entered the mix, adding another layer to my unique story. But here’s the thing—I’ve never let any of this slow me down. Each appointment, each therapy session, and each diagnosis has only added to my strength and spunk.
Through it all, I’ve learned that my challenges are actually my superpowers. They’ve taught me resilience, given me a quirky and creative outlook on life, and shown me the power of determination. So here I am, turning each page of my life with a smile, ready for the next adventure! Thanks for being part of my journey. Let’s keep making magic together!
2022 Children's health Patient Ambassador
Hey friends, it’s Kadence here! I had the amazing honor of serving as the 2022 Children’s Health patient ambassador. It was a whirlwind of excitement where I got to show up at all sorts of events, from stepping onto the field as the honorary team captain to tossing the coin at a high school game, each moment was unforgettable. But guess what? One of my favorite highlights was designing my own shoes for the Legacy of Love event. to shine a light on what Children’s Health does for kids like me. We laughed, we shared stories, and yes, we even danced a little—all to help raise awareness and funds for a place that’s done so much for us. Thanks to everyone who joined in, supported, and cheered us on. Together, we made a huge difference! Let’s keep the momentum going—here’s to more adventures and even bigger impacts!
2023 Childrens' Miracle Network-Miracle Child
Amazing friends! It’s Kadence here, buzzing with excitement to share a truly magical experience from last year. I was super honored to be one of the 2023 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Miracle Kids.
Last summer, I jetted off to Ohio for the annual CMN fundraising golf tournament. Not only did I get to watch some awesome golfing action, but I also met 51 incredible kiddos from across the U.S., each representing their own CMN hospital. It was heartwarming to connect with others who have special abilities just like me—we shared stories, laughed, and celebrated our unique journeys together.
Meeting all these resilient spirits was a reminder of how powerful and special we all are. Here’s to more adventures where we can shine together and make a difference!
Kindness my mission, acceptance my journey, and love is my guide.
My Rally Cry: The Heart of Kadence
-
My Mission
My super mission is to help kids like me, who are a bit different or have some extra health adventures, to really love and celebrate what makes us awesome. We want everyone to know how cool and strong they are, and to show off their unique superpowers. Let's all come together to spread a mega-wave of acceptance, make sure everyone feels included, and shower the world with kindness. Because being different? That’s our secret ingredient for being amazing!
-
My Vision
My big dream? It’s to build a world where kids like me, who are a bit different or face some extra health challenges, feel totally loved and accepted. We’re talking about a future where being unique is the coolest thing ever. I want to show the world the amazing stuff we can do when we lift each other up and celebrate what makes each of us stand out. Let’s create a world overflowing with kindness, where every kid feels like a hero in their own epic story.
-
My Philosophy
My philosophy? It's all about embracing our unique sparks, those cool quirks that make us, well, us. I believe in turning 'I can't' into 'I can and I will' with a dash of creativity, a sprinkle of bravery, and a whole lot of heart. Life is full of ups, downs, and loop-de-loops, but guess what? It's our differences that give us our superpowers. Whether we're tackling the tricky stuff or celebrating the victories, we're doing it our way, and that's what makes the journey so exciting.