Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Moving into your first apartment is a huge milestone that marks independence and freedom. But for TikToker LissaJade's (Lissa.jade1) 18-year-old daughter, Leah, it's something she will never get to fully experience due to an extremely rare medical condition called CHD2–described as a genetic condition that causes seizures, abnormal brain function and intellectual disabilities–as well as Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (a rare form of epilepsy).

To create a special place for Leah to spread her wings, LissaJade designed a brand new entrance for the door to Leah's room that mirrors her very own apartment–complete with a mailbox, wreath, doormat and the number "206." Besides the thoughtful additions, LissaJade also re-painted Leah's door a rich cerulean blue and installed a doorbell.


"Due to my daughter's diagnosis, she won't ever have a home of her own, so I created an apartment door for her bedroom," she wrote in the video.

The sweet gesture for her daughter amassed a number of emotional comments. One TikToker wrote, "TO BE LOVED IS TO BE SEEN," and another added, "You're giving her the freedom of being an adult while also acknowledging you'll be there for her in an instant, no matter what. 🥰"

Other parents with children in Leah's situation also shared their personal stories. "I, too, have an intellectually challenged adult child due to brain damage (hydrocephalus). She is 23 now. This video warms my heart," one wrote. Another added, "I absolutely love this and putting in my idea book for my daughter who has Angelman Syndrome and will always live with me as well. God bless you both!!"

Lissa shared more about Leah and her health journey in a follow-up video. "Please meet the girl behind the door!" she wrote in the caption, adding, "I hope this video helps you get to know our girl just a bit better!"

@lissa.jade1

Replying to @_kassandrah_ Please meet the girl behind the door! Thank you all for the overwhelming support and love for my daughter’s door! We’re working on getting a P.O. Box set up for her to be able to receive mail from all who wish to send! As for the color of the door, I unfortunately lost the swatches and can’t remember the exact color, all I know is that it’s her favorite, cyan! I hope this video helps you get to know our girl just a bit better! @Leah @cami #LeahStrong

LissaJade offers more details on her CHD2 diagnosis, sharing that it took 11 years and visits with doctors in 3 different states to finally receive her CHD2 diagnosis in 2020. "She was 1/44 in the world," she wrote in the video, explaining that she has also had three different brain surgeries to have a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) device and a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) device implanted—which helped minimize her seizures. LissaJade shared that before these were implanted, Leah was having 80 seizures a day. Despite the surgeries, Leah still takes 30 pills a day and struggles with epilepsy.

"She will never experience the mundane things we all take for granted daily, but she has something we all lost, and that's to see the world through a child's eyes. With brain damage and regression, it has frozen her in time," she wrote. "With CHD2 also came intellectual disability that made her around 5 to 7 years old."

Despite these challenges, LissaJade remains beyond grateful for caring for Leah as her mother through it all. "I'm not sure why God blessed me to be her mama, but I'm beyond thankful," she added. "I almost lost her in 2021 due to a tonic clinic seizure. And when she woke up days later, she squeezed my hand and said, 'I still fight!' And that's my Leah."

LissaJade's love for her daughter and Leah's tenacity have inspired thousands. This TikTok summarized it best: "What an honor to watch you be her mama. Thanks for sharing Leah with us❤️."

More For You

During his adoption hearing, a 5-year-old raised his hand and left everyone in tears
Cover Image Source: YouTube

During his adoption hearing, a 5-year-old raised his hand and left everyone in tears

Adoption transforms lives, giving children a chance at love, stability, and a forever family. Every year, more than 250,000 children enter foster care, but not all find permanent homes. For one 5-year-old in Bernalillo, New Mexico, that dream finally came true—and he made sure everyone in the courtroom knew just how much it meant to him.

In a heartwarming moment captured on video and reported by USA TODAY, the young boy surprised his new mom, Jennifer Hubby, by speaking up during the adoption hearing. When the judge asked if anyone wanted to say something, the little boy raised his hand.

Keep ReadingShow less
Many hands stacked atop each other.

Representative Image: Most companies can endure the loss of an employee, but 10?

10 employees asked for a fair raise, when HR refused they had the perfect response

When employees give their best to a company, they expect fair compensation and respect in return. But when a group of ten workers was denied a raise and the basic amenities they needed, they decided to take a stand. Their story, shared by u/UnoriginallyGeneric on Reddit, highlights the power of collective action—and how standing up for your worth can lead to something better.

"Unlike many industries, we never shuttered during COVID."

— @UnoriginallyGeneric

During the pandemic, while many industries shut down, this workplace remained operational. The employee explained how they and their team worked tirelessly to keep things running smoothly, ensuring that no one caught COVID by being diligent with safety protocols.

Keep ReadingShow less
A man handing over a tip.

Representative Image: Tipping used to more commonly known as a gratuity because that's what it meant.

Customer fights back after restaurant refuses to serve free tap water

Some restaurants have adopted automated payment systems that include mandatory gratuities, sparking debates about tipping culture. While many argue that tipping provides essential income for service workers, others believe restaurants should pay fair wages instead. A Reddit user, u/ilikesnark, recently shared a frustrating dining experience that reignited the discussion—this time over a restaurant's refusal to serve tap water.

In their post, titled "Waitress refused to give me water so I removed the 15% auto gratuity," the Redditor described the awkward situation. They had gone out to eat alone and noticed the restaurant’s policy of automatically adding a 15% tip to every bill. While ordering, they requested a glass of tap water, but the waitress instead brought a bottle of water. When the customer asked again for tap water, the waitress insisted they didn’t have any.

Keep ReadingShow less
madeliefvis_, the greatest showman, wedding

Maddie (madeliefvis_) and her family practice dance from 'The Greatest Showman' for sister's wedding.

madeliefvis_/Instagram

Family practiced epic dance from 'The Greatest Showman' for 8 months to surprise sister at her wedding

Surprise performances at wedding receptions are always iconic. And TikToker Maddie (@madeliefvis) and her entire family pulled off one for the books. To surprise her sister who was getting married, they learned the dance and exact choreography for the song "From Now On" from the movie The Greatest Showman to surprise her at their wedding reception.

"Watch our family practice for 8 months to learn this dance from my sister's favorite movie as a surprise for her wedding," she wrote in the video's caption.

Keep ReadingShow less
little girl laughing; handwritten list

It can really be this simple.

4 years ago, a man shared his '9 delights of life.' Then he met a stranger transformed by it.

When you close your eyes and go to sleep, what’s really important to you? It’s a question that’s been asked since the dawn of time, each time producing a different answer. Like everything else, ideas surrounding what makes life worth living have been reevaluated, reshaped, and redefined by scientists, theologians, and philosophers for millennia.

bust of a statue of a man placed on top of a cement blockWhat makes a life meaningful? Photo by Mike Gorrell on Unsplash

Keep ReadingShow less