Logan Pacl stands out among teenagers. At 17, he faces a rare illness known as Sanfilippo syndrome. Often called “childhood Alzheimer’s,” this cruel disorder gradually takes away a child’s cognitive skills, mirroring the effects of Alzheimer’s in older people. But he keeps fighting and uses social media to spread awareness about his condition.
At first, everything seemed normal.
Logan Pacl’s life is a battle against time. Diagnosed with Sanfilippo syndrome, often known as “childhood Alzheimer’s,” the 17-year-old from Silverdale faces a relentless genetic disorder that viciously strips away the very essence of childhood. Caused by a single defective gene, this neurodegenerative disease attacks the brain and spinal cord, leaving behind a cruel wake of lost abilities, seizures, and constant pain. It’s a ticking time bomb, as most children with this terminal illness don’t survive beyond their mid-teens.
For Logan’s family, the heartbreak began early. Born in 2007 with his twin brother Austin, Logan seemed like any other healthy baby. Both boys hit their developmental milestones—until Logan began to fall behind. A year in, the red flags emerged: while Austin was speaking, Logan remained silent. The difference between the brothers grew, signaling the start of a devastating journey.
Sanfilippo syndrome doesn’t just rob children of their future—it erases their past.
Then the news of the diagnosis hit the parents, something no one could have anticipated.
As Logan’s condition worsened, with chronic infections and a noticeably swollen belly, Noelle and William were left searching for answers. In January 2010, they learned that Logan had Sanfilippo syndrome, a terminal illness with no cure or treatment, and a life expectancy that typically extends only into the late teens. “I’ll never forget the day we got the phone call. The genetic counselor on the other end went on and on, and all I thought was, well get to the part on how we fix this. Then she said it, ’This disease is terminal, and there is no cure or treatment,’” his parents recall.
Noelle recalled her initial reaction, grappling with the news that the disease was terminal. The weight of the diagnosis was overwhelming, leaving her with a heart that felt as though it had dropped into her stomach. The severity of the situation rendered her unable to process much beyond the devastating reality.
Noelle described the experience of mourning not just the child she had but the life she had envisioned for him, a life that was abruptly stolen away. The medical advice they received was minimal and unhelpful, simply advising them to take Logan home and cherish their time with him. This lack of concrete guidance only deepened their sense of helplessness.
In their search for hope, Noelle and William discovered an experimental stem cell transplant through online research. Inspired by the success of another mother’s child, they decided to pursue the same treatment for Logan. So, Pacl went through a tough three-month treatment that was basically a bone marrow transplant. He had to endure chemotherapy to wipe out his immune system so it could accept the new stem cells. It was a risky procedure, but it seems to have helped with some of Logan’s physical symptoms.
His mother uses social media to spread awareness about his condition.
At 17, Logan’s life is very different from that of most teenagers. Losing his ability to speak at a young age was tough for him and his family, but over time, he’s become more easygoing. “Life with Logan is anything but typical. Each day is a battle to maintain the skills he still has,” his mother Noelle said.
Since 2020, Noelle has been a vocal advocate for Sanfilippo syndrome, using TikTok to share her family’s story. Her videos have reached a global audience, raising awareness about the disorder and encouraging other parents to seek early diagnosis for their children.
Although Logan’s future is uncertain, the Pacl family is committed to making the most of their time together. Noelle and William used to avoid thinking about what lies ahead, but now they focus on cherishing every moment with Logan and ensuring he enjoys his time to the fullest. Noelle notes that among Sanfilippo parents, there’s a bit of a joke that all their children seem like siblings, sharing similar features like bushy eyebrows, a low nasal bridge, and large, round stomachs.
Even with the demands of caring for Logan, Noelle keeps life as normal as possible for Logan’s siblings, Austin and Aidyn. She acknowledges that having a brother with special needs can bring its own set of benefits.
As for sharing Logan’s journey online, Noelle remains thoughtful about what she posts. While she plans to continue sharing, she’s careful to respect her family’s privacy. “We just live in the moment,” his mother said. “And if something comes up, and we’re like, we can make that, we’ll do it.”
People in comments react differently.
Mostly people express support and empathy.
- You take the most wonderful care of him. You are the greatest mom. © lauralang1108 / Instagram
But some show a bit of skepticism.
- Genuine question, what is your plan when you are gone? © devin_abq.505 / Instagram
- I just wanna know why it’s necessary. People have to publicize their children’s conditions. Why do people think that we all wanna know what’s wrong with your child? I feel sorry for the parents, but I don’t know why you want to put this all out there. I’m sure you have support group publicizing putting your child out there like this. © marlawomble / Instagram
Today, conversations about living with disabilities are becoming more open, especially on social media. Celebrities are sharing their experiences as parents of children with special needs, helping to normalize these discussions and inspire others. This shift fosters understanding and empathy, creating a more inclusive environment for everyone.
MILLIONAIRE’S CRUEL JOKE ABOUT POOR MOM GOES VIRAL—UNTIL PILOT STEPS IN
A rich man was unhappy when a mother with three kids was seated next to him in business class. Louis Newman, the millionaire, complained loudly and criticized the stewardess for letting her sit there.
“I’m sorry, sir,” the stewardess said calmly, showing him the tickets. “These seats are assigned to Mrs. Debbie Brown and her children, and we can’t change them. Please cooperate with us.”
Despite the stewardess’s explanation, Louis continued to grumble about the situation. But things took an unexpected turn when the pilot made a special announcement as they were about to land. The announcement highlighted Mrs. Brown’s story and praised her for her strength and dedication. After hearing this, Louis’s complaints vanished, and he had a new perspective on the situation.
Louis Newman, a wealthy businessman, was upset when a mother with three kids was seated next to him in business class. He complained loudly that the children would make too much noise and ruin his important meeting with foreign investors.
The stewardess explained that Mrs. Debbie Brown and her children had paid for those seats and had the right to be there. Debbie offered to move if other passengers would swap seats, but the stewardess insisted that she stay where she was.
Louis was annoyed and thought it was unfair that he had to sit next to someone he felt didn’t belong in business class. He put in his AirPods to avoid talking to Debbie and turned away as she helped her children buckle into their seats.
Once the flight took off, Debbie’s children were excited and began happily chatting about their first business class experience. “Mom! Look, we’re finally flying!” her daughter Stacey exclaimed with joy.
Some passengers on the plane smiled at Stacey’s excitement, but Louis Newman looked displeased. He asked Debbie if she could make her children be quiet because he was joining an important meeting from the flight and didn’t want any disruptions.
Debbie asked her children to stay quiet, and Louis’s meeting continued for most of the flight. During his call, Debbie noticed he frequently mentioned fabrics and had a handbook with designs, which made her realize he was a businessman in the clothing industry.
After his meeting, Debbie approached Louis and asked, “Can I ask you something?”
Louis, feeling pleased with how his meeting went, agreed. “Sure, go ahead.”
“I saw your handbook with fabric samples. Do you work in the clothing industry?”
“Yes,” Louis replied. “I own a clothing company in New York. We just closed a big deal with a top designing company.”
Debbie shared that she ran a small boutique in Texas, which had been started by her in-laws in New York and had recently expanded. She complimented his designs, but Louis responded with sarcasm. “Thanks, but our designs are way beyond what a local boutique offers. We work with top designers and just secured a million-dollar deal. A boutique like yours wouldn’t understand.”
Debbie felt embarrassed but tried to stay calm. “I understand. It must be very important to you.”
Louis, still smirking, said, “You’re here in business class, but you don’t seem like you belong here. Maybe next time you should fly economy and stick to people who run boutiques like you.”
Debbie’s patience was running out. “Sir, I know it’s my first time flying business class and I had some trouble with the check-in, but don’t you think you’re being a bit rude? My husband is on this flight with us, and…”
Before Debbie could finish speaking, the intercom announced their arrival at JFK. But Captain Tyler Brown had more to say.
“I want to thank all the passengers, especially my wife, Debbie Brown. Debbie, your support means the world to me,” the pilot began. Louis’s face turned red with embarrassment as he realized Debbie’s husband was the pilot.
“This is my first time flying a business class flight, and I was nervous. Thanks to my wife, who reassured me and joined me on this flight despite her own fear of flying. Today is my first day back at work after a long period of unemployment. We’ve faced many challenges, but Debbie has always stayed strong. Today is also the anniversary of when we first met, which I think she may have forgotten. So, I want to propose to her again. DEBBIE, I LOVE YOU!”
Tyler left the pilot’s cabin, got down on one knee, and proposed to Debbie with a ring. “Will you spend the rest of your life with me again, Mrs. Debbie Brown?”
The passengers watched in awe as Debbie, teary-eyed, said yes. The plane erupted in applause. Louis, meanwhile, stood stunned and embarrassed.
Before leaving the plane, Debbie approached Louis and said, “A person like you, who only cares about money, would never understand the value of having a loving family. My husband and I live simply, but we are very proud of it!”
Leave a Reply