Children's of Mississippi Kid Captain of the Week: John Jolly
November 26, 2019 | Football
Kid Captain is a collaboration between Children's of Mississippi and the Mississippi State Bulldogs to salute pediatric patients. Their inspirational stories remind us just how truly courageous these young people are.
This week's Children's of Mississippi Kid Captain is John Jolly of Starkville.
Born in China with a cleft lip and palate, John came to the United States when his parents, Natalie and Brandon, adopted him at 15 months old. Due to the circumstances of his birth, the surgeries needed to repair his conditions were delayed.
Natalie and Brandon brought John to Children's of Mississippi for the expertise of the cleft palate team, and the range of services available for his ongoing care. John has had 10 surgeries so far, from both plastic surgery and ENT. He has also benefited from speech therapy, audiology, and consultation with genetics, dentistry, and orthodontics.
"We've always had exceptional care when we've had hospital stays and outpatient procedures," said Natalie.
With Mississippi's only children's hospital and pediatric clinics across the state, Children's of Mississippi doctors work together to care for kids at every step, in every location. Only UMMC can provide this level of help for children like John. In fact, Mississippi State recognizes Children's of Mississippi as their official children's hospital.
Now six years old, John is doing great. He still works several times a week with his speech therapists, but any more potential surgeries are years down the road.
John loves to fish, play soccer and baseball, and build things with LEGOs. He also loves all MSU sports, especially football, basketball and baseball.
Have fun at Thursday's game, John! Your friends at Children's of Mississippi are cheering for you!
Help us grow so they can grow.
You can help kids like John with a tax deductible gift to expand and improve Mississippi's only hospital for children. Give today at growchildrens.org.
This week's Children's of Mississippi Kid Captain is John Jolly of Starkville.
Born in China with a cleft lip and palate, John came to the United States when his parents, Natalie and Brandon, adopted him at 15 months old. Due to the circumstances of his birth, the surgeries needed to repair his conditions were delayed.
Natalie and Brandon brought John to Children's of Mississippi for the expertise of the cleft palate team, and the range of services available for his ongoing care. John has had 10 surgeries so far, from both plastic surgery and ENT. He has also benefited from speech therapy, audiology, and consultation with genetics, dentistry, and orthodontics.
"We've always had exceptional care when we've had hospital stays and outpatient procedures," said Natalie.
With Mississippi's only children's hospital and pediatric clinics across the state, Children's of Mississippi doctors work together to care for kids at every step, in every location. Only UMMC can provide this level of help for children like John. In fact, Mississippi State recognizes Children's of Mississippi as their official children's hospital.
Now six years old, John is doing great. He still works several times a week with his speech therapists, but any more potential surgeries are years down the road.
John loves to fish, play soccer and baseball, and build things with LEGOs. He also loves all MSU sports, especially football, basketball and baseball.
Have fun at Thursday's game, John! Your friends at Children's of Mississippi are cheering for you!
Help us grow so they can grow.
You can help kids like John with a tax deductible gift to expand and improve Mississippi's only hospital for children. Give today at growchildrens.org.
FOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Jeff Lebby
Thursday, April 16
FOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Kamario Taylor
Saturday, April 11
FOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Kelley Jones
Saturday, April 11
FOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Jeff Lebby
Saturday, April 11