Kenadie Jourdin-Bromley, from Ontario, Canada, is just like any other child.
She goes to school, and loves sports and drawing.
However, there is one thing that seperates Kenadie from her classmates – the fact that she’s only 99 centimeter tall.
When the little girl was born in February 2003 she weighed only 2.5 lbs. She suffered from an unusual form of cardiovascular disease that affects only 100 people in the world. The nurses nicknamed her “Thumbelina”.
The little girl’s chances of survival were bleak. The rare condition can cause complications such as delayed mental development, respiratory disease and digestive problems – and because the girl suffered from brain injuries, the doctors in the hospital feared she would only survive for a few days.
Her parents were devastated. They decided to christen their little girl the same day she was born, so that she would at least have a name when she left them.
“We thought we were going to take her home to die, because that’s what the doctors told us,” mom Brianne tells Barcroft TV.
The days passed, but Kenadie refused to give up. She beat all the odds – and her parents soon realised that she was going to make it through. It was a miracle.
14 years later, Kenadie is still surprising everyone around her. Her legs and arms are underdeveloped, she has difficulty learning new things and she’s only 99 centimeters tall – but she’s a happy young girl who lives life to the full.
Kenadie loves ice skating and bowling, she goes to school with other children her age and she will soon start swimming lessons. And most importantly, she spreads joy to everyone she meets.
“Kenadie makes me laugh. She’s very empathetic – if you hurt your finger she comes and gives you a hug. She’s got an infectious laugh that makes you want to laugh along with her,” Kenadie’s assistant Jessica Putnam tells Barcroft TV.
Life will continue to be a challenge for this family. Kenadie is constantly faced with new medical problems – but the family takes everything one day at a time and remains positive.
“My hope for Kenadie’s future– my biggest hope for her– is I want her to be happy. I want her to smile and be successful. If we can get through today, then we’ll see about tomorrow,” mom Brianne tells Barcroft TV.
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