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.
Julia Roberts Gave Birth to Twins at 37 — Pics of Her ‘Beautiful’ Teens Who Look like Her Husband
Julia Roberts, then 37, gave birth to twins.
The mother of three acknowledged that her children resemble Danny Moder, her spouse.
Fans of Moder frequently praise their children’s photos online, saying they are stunning.
Julia Roberts is pleased with her union with Danny Moder and the joy they have shared. The couple makes an effort to keep their marriage quiet and their children out of the spotlight. Henry Moder, 16, and the twins Phinnaeus and Hazel Moder, 18, are Julia and Danny’s three children.
Julia gave birth to two healthy children, Phinneaus and Hazel, at the age of 37. The twins reportedly arrived at a Los Angeles hospital in November 2004 at around three in the morning. Henry, however, was born on June 18, 2007.
On October 10, 2015, Danny Moder and Julia Roberts attended the Bottega Veneta-sponsored Gala in the Garden in Los Angeles. | Source: Getty Images
When Julia was ready, her children selected her to be their steward and shepherd in life. Julia became a mother in her late 30s.
The mother of three admits that she occasionally worries that she will fail as a parent, but she also feels that her children entered her life at a time when she was prepared to be their mother. The actress made sure to spend quality time, tease, and joke with her little children while they were little.
At the Outerknown premiere event in Malibu, California, on August 29, 2015, Danny Moder, Julia Roberts, Kelly Slater, Phinnaeus, Henry Daniel, and Hazel Moder were there. | Source: Getty Images
She once jokingly disclosed that Henry believed that he and his siblings were being discussed when someone mentioned the twins in their family, rather than just Phinnaeus and Hazel.
In addition to enjoying herself with her children, Julia does her hardest to shield them from the negative effects of celebrity. The kids knew their mother was renowned when they were younger, but they never realized how famous she actually was. When her children were in stores, the actress saw that most of the time they would see headlines from tabloids, which made her uneasy.
Even though the tabloid headlines were untrue, Julia was nevertheless affected, especially when they implied that her marriage was dissolving although she was still happily married and raising her children. Julia and Danny moved from Los Angeles because they wanted to raise their children away from the spotlight as a result of these difficulties.
Although they now live on a ranch in New Mexico, Julia and Danny used to reside in Los Angeles, where they were employed. But according to a pal, the two didn’t want their children to grow up surrounded by Los Angeles’s showbiz lifestyle. Because of their kids, the couple later relocated to San Francisco. Nobody gave a damn about Phinnaeus, Henry, and Hazel’s mother there, and they weren’t treated like Hollywood stars’ children.
The “Ocean’s Eleven” actress said in 2019 that, in an effort to shield her children from the stresses of the current world, she had forbidden them from using social media.
The actress instituted family meetings and set limits on what they watched on TV. She performed these actions because children nowadays can easily handle the world and potentially exploit its resources and demands. Julia feels that it is her responsibility as a parent to keep her children off social media because they are not in need of it right now.
In addition to keeping her children safe, Julia takes sure to show them nothing but the best love so they may overcome the difficulties of the modern world. She also guides her children through today’s challenges.
Mom seized the chance to give Hazel hope while she was going through a difficult period and felt like she didn’t have a voice. She showed Hazel that she could still stand up for her beliefs in this world by taking her to her first Women’s March in Washington.
On July 10, 2021, Danny and Hazel Moder show up for the “Flag Day” premiere at the 74th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. | Source: Getty Images
The 56-year-old mother describes her daughter as “one of a kind.” The teenager chose a low-key appearance for her trip to the 74th Cannes Film Festival in 2021 with her father, even rejecting her mother’s advice to apply eyeliner. Hazel was merely delighted to attend the function beside her dad.
On July 10, 2021, Danny and Hazel Moder show up for the “Flag Day” premiere at the 74th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. | Source: Getty Images
On July 10, 2021, Danny and Hazel Moder show up for the “Flag Day” premiere at the 74th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. | Source: Getty Images
But Hazel also has a soft spot for her mother’s most treasured belongings. According to Julia, her daughter once dug through her closet in search of a prom dress and tried on the actress’s 2001 Academy Award-winning black and white Valentino gown. Although Julia recalls how beautiful her daughter looked in the garment, Hazel thought it was too big on her.
Julia Roberts on March 25, 2001, at the 73rd Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California. | Found via Getty Images
Julia has given her children a lot of love, support, and affection. She claims that mothering is an art that cannot be learned. The actress believes that the best approach to deal with parenting is to accept that you are not a superwoman and that you shouldn’t be afraid to seek for help.
Julia Roberts on March 25, 2001, at the 73rd Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California. | Found via Getty Images
The “Pretty Woman” actress acknowledged in 2022 that she experienced dizziness when her children were ready to start college. In addition, the fact that her kids would be attending college and she had never done so captivated and delighted her about them.
Although Julia always believes that her children look like her, she realizes that her children actually resemble Danny when she sees her spouse after he gets home from work. The father of three occasionally posts pictures of their children online, eliciting a lot of feedback from their followers.
On November 28, 2022, Julia’s twins turned eighteen, and the actress gave them a sweet photo of themselves from their early years. Danny often shares pictures of their three children on social media, and the majority of his postings get good feedback from followers.
When the 54-year-old published a photo of Hazel smiling next to Phinnaeus, fans noted that Julia and Danny had cute children. “They really are stunning,” said an enthusiast. Supporters also mentioned how wonderful the couple’s family is.
Some people remarked on how Danny and Julia’s children bore a striking resemblance to their dad. Hazel “looks like her dad,” as one fan put it, and other fans thought Danny and his daughter looked alike. The majority of people claimed that Danny is preferred by the couple’s three gorgeous children.
January 15, 2020, in Los Angeles, Julia Roberts and Danny Moder’s Tenth Anniversary Gala Benefiting CORE, hosted by Sean Penn | Source: Getty Images
After 21 years of marriage, Julia Roberts and Danny Moder are content in their marriage as they raise their children and shield them from the hardships of the outside world. The couple adores their kids, whom they have made enormous efforts to keep away from the entertainment industry.
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