LAKELAND, Fla. — A Lakeland mother and a teacher have developed a special bond while caring for two of the mom’s children. 

  • Shannon Moats a special needs teacher
  • Moats became source of support for mother of students
  • Kids diagnosed with rare Sanfilippo Syndrome

Teacher Shannon Moats had little Whitney Ostwalt in her special needs pre-k class at Dr. N.E. Roberts Elementary school and felt like something was really wrong with Whitney. She seemed to be going down hill both mentally and physically.

When Whitney’s younger brother Jordan came to her class a few years later, the same thing seemed to be happening. Moats spent hours on her computer trying to figure out what was wrong. She also encouraged their mom Nicole Ostwalt as she went to countless doctor visits looking for a diagnosis. 

“All I could do was say keep looking. Find somebody to answer the questions. We need the answers,” Moats said. 

Eventually a doctor had a diagnosis for both children. They had a very rare condition called Sanfilippo Syndrome. They would both only get worse and die at an early age. 

Whitney passed away at age 13. Jordan is now 13. He is fed through a tube, has 24-hour home nursing care, and can’t really communicate. 

Because Moats has encouraged Ostwalt so much to find a diagnosis, and the answer turned out bad, Moats was worried Ostwalt would by angry with her. 

“Oh I was, I planned on her hating me,” she said. 

Luckily, it didn't turn out that way. Ostwalt said she has a special kind of love for Moats. 

“It was never like that. It was more I appreciated it. It was nice having someone back you up. Going the extra mile,” she said. 

Moats is still a special needs teacher but also signed up to be Jordan’s home teacher a couple of days a week. 

“Every bit of enrichment gives him one more piece to his life,” she said. “One more thing we can do to make his life extra special.”