Meet the McGowans: Tom, Melissa, Abigail, Theresa & Josephine

Meet The McGowans: 

The McGowan clan lives in Canonsburg, PA, which is just south of Pittsburgh (Let’s go Bucs, Steelers, & Pens!). Tom works in the pharmaceutical industry, and Melissa is a teacher/grant writer turned stay-at-home mom. Let’s be honest, though. You don’t want to hear about them, so let’s talk about the kids (who keep them very busy…and tired).

Abigail (Abby) is five years old and was born with Pfeiffer syndrome, but she sure hasn’t let it define her. She is thriving in kindergarten and is currently involved in swimming and soccer. She also enjoys playing at the park, drawing pictures, reading, playing games, having dance parties, and playing pretend with her sisters. She also feels it is very important that people know her favorite color is orange and her favorite princess is Ariel. She says she wants to be a doctor when she grows up, and her craniofacial team has strongly encouraged her in this goal. This November marked a big milestone for Abby: one-year, surgery free!

L-R Reese, Josephine, and Abigail

Theresa (Reese) is three years old and attends preschool three days a week. Reese is involved in swimming and soccer as well, and she enjoys coloring pictures, running outside, playing with dolls, watching movies, and playing with the camera on Mommy’s phone. Her favorite color is “lellow” and her favorite princess is “Belle and Cindelella.” When she grows up, she wants to be a mommy and a teacher…but her biggest goal is to figure out how to spend as much time as possible playing on the iPad.

Josephine (Josie) is 18 months old and stays at home full-time with Mommy. She thinks she’s older and bigger than she really is, but she does a pretty good job keeping up with the big kids. Josie loves to read books, cuddle, play at the park, and copy her sisters. She also enjoys Family Swim at her sisters’ swim school, and she is quickly showing us that she is the fish in the bunch. Every time she goes underwater, she comes up smiling and wanting to jump back in again (and again, and again, and again…). She doesn’t have a favorite color or princess yet, but she does have a favorite accessory: hairbows. She pats the top of her head and fusses each morning until she gets a bow in her hair. What a little diva.

Last year, the McGowans worked together to hold a Wonder advanced screening. It was a WONDErful evening spent raising awareness of craniofacial differences, telling others about CCA, and enjoying the movie.

Read more about Abby's journey on Children's Pittsburgh blog. This entry was written by Melissa McGowan, Abby's mom.