The Strength Behind His Smile – Zayn’s Story

May 21, 2026

One of the first things people notice about Zayn is his smile. Wherever he goes, his family is often stopped by strangers who tell them how beautiful it is. He is a determined and happy child, with a lot of love to give to others.

But unfortunately, behind his smile are struggles that not many people would ever guess. Zayn was born with a very rare, spontaneous mutation on the CTNNB1 gene, causing severe developmental and intellectual delays, as well as physical disabilities. His condition mimics cerebral palsy and autism behaviors. With fewer than 500 known cases worldwide, no two individuals experience this mutation the same way.

For children like Zayn, development is often unpredictable. Skills can come and go, with no clear path forward.

“He may not be able to speak, run, or play like other kids, but he wants to,” shares his mother, Janeen. “He is just like any other child, only he’s trapped in a body that does not work in the way we want it to.”

Because of this, his family has been living in a constant guessing game, not knowing what tomorrow might bring.

“I have the same goals and dreams for Zayn like any parent would have for their child,” Janeen shares. “I want to see my son graduate, choose a career path, find love and raise a family someday. I know those things may never happen for Zayn, but I’ll never stop trying to give him the best life possible.”

At the end of this article is a letter from Janeen, who shares more about Zayn’s experience as a student at Elim. We hope you are touched by her testimony and that you know your support directly impacts Zayn and other students like him at Elim.

As we approach the end of our fiscal year, we invite you to make a gift that sustains this life-changing work. Your generosity provides programming, individualized care, and a compassionate environment where students and adults like Zayn can truly thrive.

You are not just giving a donation. You are opening doors and giving hope to families with children and adults with disabilities, and to them, that means everything.

A Letter From Janeen

Zayn started a 3-year-old preschool for 2 hours a day at our local elementary school, and it was an exciting time. He absolutely loved going to school and meeting new people. However, at the end of the year, I was informed that our local school district did not have the resources to support Zayn’s needs. That phone call was very hurtful and disappointing; it was another blow that triggered the reality of his diagnosis once again. We faced more hardship and uncertainty, even as we were given other opportunities.

I was incredibly nervous and worried about what Zayn’s education would look like. I was uneasy about transitioning him to another school further away from home.

After touring Elim and meeting the wonderful staff, I felt an incredible sense of ease. We were met with compassion when our world was flipped upside down. I was reassured, and Zayn was absolutely adored the minute we walked through the door.

Having Zayn attend Elim has been such a blessing for him and our entire family. He is so happy and absolutely loves school. The entire staff is incredibly kind and loving. My son is very loved, and he absolutely adores everyone. Elim became a safe and loving environment for Zayn to thrive. He has made such amazing progress over the past 2 years, and we look forward to continuing his education surrounded by the most beautiful souls who have become more than educators; they have become family, and we are so incredibly thankful.

Because of your generosity, our students receive the tools and resources that they need to thrive. Can you give today and equip over 400 students and adults at Elim to pursue their God-given potential?