Jacob Hartshorne, 33, of Mount Pleasant stimulates his senses with a flashing disco light Oct. 27 at his home in Mount Pleasant, MI. Hartshorne has impaired hearing and vision, so he enjoys bright lights and textured items.

Hartshorne was born with CHARGE syndrome and is given 24/7 assistance from a team of caregivers.

CHARGE is an abbreviation for several of the features common in the disorder: coloboma, heart defects, atresia choanae, growth retardation, genital abnormalities and ear abnormalities.

Jacob Hartshorne, 33, of Mount Pleasant gets help from his father walking down a staircase Aug. 27 in his parent’s home in Mount Pleasant, MI.

Hartshorne's father Tim Hartshorne started studying CHARGE in 1989 after his child was identified as having it. Now, the Central Michigan University professor is considered an expert on CHARGE.

"We have always tried our best to give Jacob a life just like everyone else," Tim said. "Now, he has 24/7 homecare and a bunch of beautiful women looking after him."

Central Michigan University senior and caregiver Mallorie Beavers unbuckles Jacob Hartshorne's seatbelt after returning cans to the grocery store Dec. 14 in the driveway of Hartshorne's home in Mount Pleasant, MI.

Hartshorne has different chores and small jobs that keep him busy and on a strict routine. The shutdown of businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic has had a great impact on Hartshorne’s weekly routine. Beavers said caregivers have taken every opportunity to get Hartshorne out of the house, especially in the winter.

Jacob Hartshorne, 33, of Mount Pleasant brushes his fingers across the top of his birthday cake May 14 while laying in the lawn outside his home in Mount Pleasant, MI. A socially distanced party was held to celebrate Hartshorne's birthday.

Jacob Hartshorne, 33, lays in a window seat cuddling a glove while caregiver Kaity Zdybel tries to get him up to go outside Aug. 12 at the front of his home in Mount Pleasant, MI.

Lead caregiver Jacob Shuler helps Jacob Hartshorne steer his bicycle June 30 on the sidewalk outside his home in Mount Pleasant, MI.
Shuler said Jacob is always teaching the staff important lessons.

"The biggest thing that I've learned from Jake is patience," Schuler said. "With the nature of his cognitive disability, you sometimes have to take a step away and give him some time to process the situation."

Nancy Hartshorne hugs her son, Jacob Hartshorne, Aug. 27 during a visit to their home which neighbors his own.

Mount Pleasant resident Jacob Hartshorne lays on a mat while receiving physical therapy on his legs and back from caregiver Melanie Haste Aug. 27 at his home in Mount Pleasant, MI. Because of his Kyphosis, Hartshorne stretches with a caregiver at least twice a day..

Jacob Hartshorne retreats to his bedroom after getting visibly upset with a caregiver because they wouldn’t help him to a third serving of chocolate pudding -- one of his favorite foods -- March 6 at his home in Mount Pleasant, MI.