Congratulations are in order for actor Pooch Hall, formerly of the hit show The Game, as he and his family watched his eldest daughter graduate high school this week.
Pooch’s eldest daughter, Djanai, has the developmental disability, Cerebral Palsy, that results in her being unable to walk or talk on her own and has constant seizures.
But that didn't stop her. Nor did it stop Pooch from congratulating his baby girl all over social media.
"Yoooo... lemme just stress how proud we are of our oldest daughter," stress Hall on Instagram. "Djanai for graduating class of #2016 ... some Doctors didnt give her that long. But she did it... I'm so proud of her and love my family so much... Now heres a graduation pic that is something my wife @shortyrockstar and l wanted to share with yall. Being parents of a child born developmentally delayed with cerebral palsy we are in aww of her strength,happiness, beauty and focus... i dont want sympathy, i want each and every one of us to recognize we are blessed beyond words and we should count our blessings and live everyday as if it was our last. Allow God, happiness, faith and greatness guide us. Love my fam... and congrats to all the #2016 graduates able body handicapped and ppl in the the struggle..."
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His wife Linda, followed up her husband with an equally beautiful message about their baby girl:
"Words can not begin to express how proud I am of my big girl…I can’t believe my angel has officially graduated from High School," Linda said.
"She did amazing…she listened…she clapped…she cheered…not once did she pull off her cap. She knew…today was her day! Tears of joy streamed down my face as I watched Alma roll her across the grass. I remember the day they told me all the things you wouldn’t be able to do but look at you now…????a graduate."
"It’s funny what people take for granted some times…the drop out rate is still crazy and it blows my mind. When I tell people Djanai is in high school people often seem shocked or surprised that she’s in school…like where else would she be? Locked in the basement?! Such an accomplish baby girl and I am so proud maybe even...
... more so than I would be of your siblings because it is just expected that they will graduate but for you the one who most of society has put in a category that is broken and unable to achieve because you learn & do things differently. You give us reason to push forward because if you can do it against all odds there is no reason why we who are far more capable and able should ever give up. I love you with every fiber of my being. Congratulations & Best of Luck! This is is just the beginning of many adventures for the rest of your life."
Cerebral palsy is due to abnormal brain development, often before birth. The symptoms differ from patient to patient, but can include exaggerated reflexes, floppy or rigid limbs, and involuntary motions. These appear by early childhood. Long-term treatment includes physical and other therapies, drugs, and sometimes surgery.
“I try and keep my family life private," explains Pooch. "I don’t like to bring work home but it is becoming harder the more popular shows I’m on become,” says Hall. “I will be with my kids and they are wondering ‘Why do people want to take a picture of my daddy?’ My oldest daughter is developmentally delayed and handicapped. A lot of people don’t know that about her because I’m sensitive about her and protective of her and all my kids, but that really changed my life."
Congratulations Djanai! Much more continued success to you!
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