Camryn Shomo, 11, of State College, Pa., was diagnosed in 2016 with Glass Syndrome, specifically SATB2-Associated Syndrome. Glass Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that’s often characterized by developmental delay and intellectual disability, along with limited speech development. Due to her disability, Camryn is non-verbal but uses her iPad, gestures, and sign language to communicate. With the support of family and friends, Camryn’s disability has not stopped her from experiencing life to the fullest.
Camryn Shomo, 11, of State College, Pa. watches the Festival of Fantasy parade at Walt Disney World on Thursday, March 8, 2018. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Camryn high-fives Woody from Toy Story at Walt Disney World on Wednesday, March 7, 2018. Camryn’s favorite Disney movie is Toy Story, however, she is afraid of masked characters. Camryn overcame her fear and gave Woody a high-five on the way out from the meet and greet. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Camryn uses her Go Talk Now app on her iPad to help her communicate. The iPad has an app that lists people, places, things, and activities which Camryn can select what she is thinking about and the iPad will speak whatever it is out loud. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Camryn and her dad, Jeff Shomo, look at images on Camryn’s iPad as they wait to see the podiatrist in Bellefonte, Pa. on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Rosanne Shomo, Camryn's mother, washes her face as she gets ready for school in the morning at their home in State College on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Camryn shows her parents how to sign the word, “home” which she recently learned at school as she waits for the school van at her home in State College on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018.
/ Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Jeff Shomo, Camryn’s dad, waits with Camryn for a school van to pick her up in the morning on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Camryn helps her nurse manager, Jennifer Smith of Bayada Home Healthcare, check her vitals as she stops by for her once a month visit on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018. Camryn has home health aides, including Maggie Dwyer, left, who stay with her in the afternoons until her parents get home from work. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Camryn, left, shares a secret with her sister, Madison, 12, as they play a game with Camryn’s Go Talk Now app on her iPad on Wednesday, March 21, 2018. Camryn likes to play a game where she tells someone to write names of people she knows who are listed on her iPad. Camryn clicks the picture of the person and the name is spoken out loud. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Camryn colors with Maggie Dwyer, 21, of Bethlehem Pa., one of Camryn’s home health aides, as they wait for Camryn’s parents to come home from work. Maggie helps take care of Camryn after school 2-3 times a week. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Camryn participates in the 100, 50, and 25 meter runs at the annual Centre County Special Olympics Geri Ryan Track Meet at the Horace Ashenfelter Indoor Track at Penn State on Thursday, April 19, 2018. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Camryn and her best friend, Emma Miller, 11, admire the medal Emma received after placing in the annual Centre County Special Olympics Geri Ryan Track Meet at the Horace Ashenfelter Indoor Track at Penn State on Thursday, April 19, 2018. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Madison Shomo, right, Camryn's sister, helps Camryn hit a baseball during a State College Challenger Baseball game at Sichler Field in State College, Pa. on Saturday, May 26, 2018. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Camryn goes trick or treating in her neighborhood in State College, Pa. on Halloween. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Camryn, runs from house to house as she trick or treats in her neighborhood on Halloween. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Camryn and her dad, Jeff Shomo take a ride on a motorcycle and attached sidecar around their neighborhood on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2018. Camryn finds the rides with her dad therapeutic. / Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine
Camryn and her dad, Jeff, take a ride around their neighborhood on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2018.
/ Photo by Georgianna DeCarmine