What is Moebius syndrome and what are its symptoms?

Moebius syndrome is a rare neurological disorder causing facial paralysis, affecting abilities like smiling, blinking, and swallowing.

How rare is Moebius syndrome?

Moebius syndrome is extremely rare, affecting approximately 1 in 4 million people worldwide.

Where is Jackson Roberts from?

Jackson Roberts is from Chalfont, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Home / Health / Child's Rare Syndrome Inspires Community Light-Up

Child's Rare Syndrome Inspires Community Light-Up

23 Jan

•

Summary

Four-year-old Jackson Roberts faces paralysis of facial nerves.
Moebius syndrome affects nerves, impacting smile, blink, and more.
Community rallies to raise awareness for the rare condition.

Child's Rare Syndrome Inspires Community Light-Up

In Chalfont, Bucks County, a family is bravely raising awareness for Moebius syndrome, a rare condition causing facial paralysis in their four-year-old son, Jackson Roberts. This neurological disorder prevents Jackson from smiling independently and impacts vital functions like blinking, sucking, swallowing, breathing, eating, and speaking.

Jackson's parents, Trish and Chris Roberts, describe him as a "medical mystery" to specialists worldwide. Despite initial uncertainties about his development, Jackson has thrived, participating in therapy and enjoying life with his sister. The family's advocacy aims to increase research for Moebius syndrome, which affects approximately 1 in 4 million people and has no known treatment.

The community has rallied around the Roberts family, illuminating Bucks County in purple lights on January 24th to mark Moebius Syndrome Awareness Day. This effort highlights the family's dedication to sharing Jackson's journey and inspiring hope, emphasizing that a diagnosis does not define an individual.