It’s A Pizza Party for Audra!

When mother Shannon adopted her beautiful 5-year-old daughter Audra from China, she knew she was a special needs child. However, over the past five years, Audra has received several additional diagnoses, including some very rare diseases. For instance, Audra was diagnosed with ZTTK Syndrome (Zhu Tokita Takenouchi Kim), which less than fifty children in the world have. ZTTK Syndrome is a severe multi-system developmental disorder, causing psychomotor development and intellectual disability. ZTTK also causes brain malformations, musculoskeletal abnormalities, and facial dysmorphism.  Audra was also diagnosed with an immunodeficiency called CVID (Common Variable Immunodeficiency), a disorder that impairs the immune system. People with CVID are unable to fight off bacteria and viruses, suffering recurrent and severe infections. As a result of CVID, Audra requires weekly infusions likely for the rest of her life.

Audra is currently recovering from a nearly two-year battle with Autoimmune Encephalitis, where the immune system attacks the brain. Audra’s world was drastically changed when she was adopted and her mom, Shannon, strongly believes that Audra is alive today because of the wonderful health care she has received since being in the United States.

Although Audra’s medical conditions have taken away much of her ability to speak, one word Audra says without a doubt is her favorite food, PIZZA! So, for Audra’s birthday celebration she had none other than a pizza party. Sugar Angel Nichole Ferello outdid herself and created a one of a kind pizza cake. This pizza cake was complete with pizza toppings, breadsticks, marinara sauce and melted cheese oozing down the side. Audra could not have been happier with her pizza cake. Her eyes lit up and she had the biggest smile as her family and friends sang happy birthday to her in front of her amazing pizza cake! On that note, we’re sending a big “thank you” to our Sugar Angels including Nichole this Thanksgiving weekend.

This post handcrafted with love and smiles by Icing Smiles blogger Chasity Brown.