Brisa Dougan - Fall 2011

Miss Brisa Dougan is a first grader from north Texas whose favorite subject is recess. You’ll find her at the playground swinging, hanging from monkey bars, scaling ladders and whooshing down the slides—a real girl on the go.

Outside of school, you’ll see Brisa on the soccer field, playing for her team, the Celtics. And when she’s not showing off her fancy footwork, she likes playing on the computer, DSI and iPod.

As for music, she likes the song “Baby” by Justin Bieber as well as the hip-hop standard “Who Let the Dogs Out.” Brisa also enjoys singing the children’s songs at church. And as for TV, the Fresh Beat Band and Extreme Home Makeover are her favorite shows. She also really likes the movie Tangled and even dressed up as Rapunzel Barbie for Halloween.

Brisa lives with her mom, dad, and Bethany, her 2-year-old sister. She has an older sister, Hayley. Although Hayley doesn’t live with them, they do have a lot of fun playing with Barbies and playing outside when they do get together. Brisa also has a niece named Aubreigh, who is a year and a half old.

Brisa and her family attended the 2009 CCA retreat in Grapevine, Texas—“the one with the inside pool.” She didn’t like the blue curvy slide so much because “it almost got my hair all wet and I almost slipped.” Apart from that, she had a wonderful time.

Brisa was born with Apert syndrome and has had multiple major procedures so far and more to go. Still, she remains positive, flashing a smile and melting hearts wherever she goes. Her advice to other kids going through similar situations is to “be brave.” Good advice, indeed.

If you would like to share your story with CCA, please send an email to Annie Reeves at areeves@ccakids.com. If your story is chosen, with your permission, we will edit and publish it in the CCA newsletter, on the Web site or use it for public awareness programs. Not all stories will be selected.

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