The Amazing Jayce

Out of necessity, a sick child can dominate a parent’s time and attention. This not only places a burden on the parents but can leave siblings feeling abandoned as well. When both time and money are strained and devoted to caring for the sick child, giving special attention to siblings can be difficult. For this reason, Icing Smiles also provides cakes for siblings of medical children in order to help parents provide special memories despite difficult circumstances. While a cake cannot do everything, it can create one special moment for a child.

Jayce is a beneficiary of Icing Smiles’ sibling cakes program. Although Jayce is a healthy toddler, his younger sister has Trisomy 18. Trisomy 18, also known as Edward’s Syndrome, which results from a duplication of the 18th chromosome, is extremely rare. Its rarity is compounded by the fact that the defects it causes often prevent the fetus from surviving. The same defects that are detrimental to the survival of the fetus diminish infants’ survival after birth as well. These may include heart, kidney, and/or digestive tract defects. Infants who do survive birth typically require intensive neonatal care and further care support throughout their lives.

Predictably, Jayce’s sister’s medical treatments, including eight full-sedation surgeries and regular doctor’s appointments and therapy, have required much of his parents time and attention in the two years since her birth. On top of the attention warranted by his sister, Jayce also has two other siblings, an older sister and a younger brother, who also need love from his parents. Nonetheless, it is abundantly clear to Jayce and his siblings how much their parents love them.

To make his birthday special this year, Jayce’s parents used part of Icing Smiles’ cakes program in which siblings of medical children can also receive special cakes. Jayce received a Cars™ themed cake from Sugar Angel Tiffany Jones. He adored his cake and had a birthday that will certainly be memorable. Memories like these will be important through the years of treatments in his sister’s future. Despite the struggles of having a child with Trisomy 18, Jayce’s parents feel blessed with all four of their children and fortunate to be able to provide beautiful and memorable cakes for each of their children.