Sheleena Maddyson Charlton
Maddy is a persevering young lady with a contagious smile and wonderful sense of humor. She was diagnosed at birth with Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS), a genetic disorder that affects the bone marrow, pancreas and skeletal system. This disorder has many symptoms, but one of the most serious is its interference with Maddy’s production of white blood cells. Her below-average white blood cell levels make her prone to chronic pain, repeated infection and frequent hospitalizations.
Maddy, now 15, was a conscientious student at DeSoto High School in a special education class due to SDS and an intellectual disability. Unfortunately, she is now homebound due to the progression of her disorder. But she does not let that stop her.
Home is not a slow place as she has a twin sister and five other siblings. But despite her low energy levels, she expects no favoritism. She helps with chores and any community projects in which the family is involved. She often cooks for her family and is currently helping her mother with a community project called Victims of Reoccurrence of Flash Floods in DeSoto. Maddy helps to get flood relief by dispensing information and recruiting help over the internet.