‘I really was a miracle.’ Just 9 ounces at birth, East Meck student fought to graduate
Until about a month ago, Jada Amiya Wilson hardly understood what the fuss was about.
The 18-year-old is graduating from East Mecklenburg High School on Thursday — one of about 8,555 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ seniors who will don caps and gowns and walk into adulthood in ceremonies that continue Saturday. Several CMS schools have already held graduation.
Wilson loves music and video games, loathes math and reading and is still trying to find her niche. But the city of Charlotte has already read about Wilson’s miracle. The Charlotte Observer has followed her story through the years.
“I only know about when I was younger through photo albums,” she said. “But with all the talk and looking at photos, now it’s sinking in. I really was a miracle.”
A guardian angel
Wilson was the smallest surviving baby ever born at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte when she was born via emergency cesarean section on Nov. 17, 2003. She was 23 weeks old, weighed 9 ounces, suffered a stroke on the right side of her brain, went into cardiac arrest, endured surgeries and spent months in an incubator. She was born with cerebral palsy, a group of disorders that affect movement and muscle tone or posture, according to the Mayo Clinic.
No one, not even doctors, thought she would survive. Her twin Jasmine, a pound heavier than she was, died two weeks after her birth.
“When Jasmine passed away, I really believe she gave all her strength to Jada,” grandmother Jewel Wilson said. “All of a sudden, Jada’s vitals were up. She was doing better. I tell Jada, ‘Jasmine is always going to be your guardian angel. She’s got your back.’”
Neonatologist Jay Kothadia, a member of the team that treated Jada at Presbyterian Hospital, told The Charlotte Observer at the time babies born so premature can face serious health and developmental problems in the future.
A work in progress
Jada stands at 4-feet-11. She has trouble seeing, and memory problems made keeping up in school hard.
“She needs a lot of pushing and repetition because she can’t remember. Sometimes she breaks down crying. She’s a little work in progress,” Jewel said.
Health issues include having a growth plate put in her right knee because Jada’s left side is smaller than her right side, Jewel said.
But the 18-year-old Jada has a great spirit, Jewel said.
Her senior year has meant growth. She’s shown interest in science and biology. She’s drawing more and is planning on working with her uncle this summer at his funnel cake business.
“I don’t really think about what I’ve been through,” Jada said. “It’s come up more and more lately, but … I don’t know. I love playing video games, and I want to be a video game developer. I’m still thinking about what kind of game I want to develop.”
Jada’s family says her disabilities have never defined her.
“We worked hard to keep her on track,” said Jada’s mother Ayanna Wilson. “Plus, we know she’s a fighter. I’ll probably have on shades during the (graduation) ceremony because I’m going to be a mess emotionally. I’m ready to celebrate her accomplishments now!”
‘She’s come a long way’
Jada has been her 63-year-old grandmother’s sidekick for years.
They share a love of art. They study together. Jewel sets up makeshift spelling bees so Jada can practice.
“She’s an excellent speller,” said Jewel, who is a former educator. “We often study the morning before school. She studies alone and then I test her like we’re at a spelling bee. She stands up against the wall and spells.”
Now, the pair are working on Jada finding her voice. Whether it’s speaking up when she wants something specific for dinner or the colors at her graduation party, she’s working on expressing her opinion.
“I usually stay quiet. I don’t really like to talk a lot,” Jada said. “And I’m excited but nervous for graduation. There’s going to be a lot of people. I might cry.”
Her grandmother will be in the crowd, in tears.
“My emotions are over the top,” Jewel said. “When I was looking through her photo album I was crying because of all she’s been through, all we’ve been through with her. Watching her grow. Watching her learn to use her voice a little more every day. I’m proud of her. She’s come a long way. My little Jada is graduating.”
This story was originally published June 10, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
