Victor Pauca was born on a bright and sunny day, August 3, 2005, and passed from this world into the next on December 13, 2024. His parents, Paul and Theresa, his big sisters, Sofia and Francesca, and his entire extended family and friends loved and adored him. Victor was one of the first individuals diagnosed with Pitt Hopkins syndrome in the world, in 2008, at 2 years old. We connected online with a few families who had children with Pitt Hopkins within a couple months after his diagnosis, and over the span of a few years more individuals were diagnosed. In 2012, our family co-founded the Pitt Hopkins Research Foundation, along with other families, who would become our life-long friends.

Victor enjoyed a wonderful and enriching life, attending public school until he was eighteen years old. He attended a local arts-based day program for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, The Enrichment Center. Victor and his sister, Francesca, created an Instagram page called @HoldingVictorsHand, with over 165,000 wonderful followers who lift our family up and bring us such joy. His sister, Sofia, created a documentary about our family and others with developmental disabilities through the lens of her relationship with Victor. He loved to spend time with his family and extended family, and especially enjoyed visiting his grandparents who live in the neighborhood. He was on the local Special Olympics soccer team, and enthusiastically rode an adapted recumbent tricycle around the neighborhood, with his Dad running behind him. Victor enjoyed making art, exploring different musical instruments, using his Playstation, watching his favorite shows and movies, enjoying nature, and going shopping at Whole Foods, Publix, Target, TJ Maxx, and going to the mall. Victor had several health concerns, and had frequent serious hospitalizations. He faced these health issues with bravery and patience. We focused on Victor enjoying every minute of his life, providing him with enriching and meaningful activities with the ones he loved. He saw the world in a unique and beautiful way, and we were privileged to share this life with him.

Please consider donating to the Pitt Hopkins Research Foundation in memory of our Victor. Thank you for being a part of our community!