Jacob Rosser

Everyone has a favourite place and for Jacob Rosser, that place is Little Ray’s Reptiles, in the village of
Sarsfield, in east Ottawa. Jacob, now 19 years old, is a former outpatient in CHEO’s Department of
Psychiatry.
“This is my dream pet right here,” Jacob says, gently cradling a red tegu, a half-metre long lizard. As his
reptilian friend flicks its tongue in and out, Jacob adds: “Little Ray’s is where I get to interact with some
of my favourite animals on the whole planet.”
This refuge for reptiles and other wild creatures has also been a sanctuary for Jacob. Here amongst the
snakes, lizards and tortoises, Jacob feels completely at home. His smile is wide, and you can see joy in
his eyes. It’s a magic not lost on his mom, Jennifer, who has been helping Jacob navigate a world where
he often doesn’t feel safe.
“We went through a very dark period,” Jennifer explains. “And Jacob just felt so connected to these
animals and the people at Little Ray’s gave him that space to feel comfortable.”
That dark period began for Jacob around age 11. His struggles with mental health were overwhelming. It
was a rapid descent into behaviors that debilitated him. “All these challenges just mounted and
mounted, and he had a complete mental breakdown,” Jennifer says, wiping away a tear.
He was a young boy increasingly out of reach to those around him. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and
the fear of being touched by anyone but his mom was among the lengthy list of Jacob’s anxieties. To
begin the work of understanding the causes of these challenges, Jacob was referred to CHEO.
“It was dizzying for all of us,” Jennifer says, shaking her head. But Jacob and his entire family soon felt
the comforting embrace of CHEO. “The psychiatric team is just phenomenal, and Dr. Cheng was our
lifeline. I don’t know what we would have done without him.”
Dr. Michael Cheng, a child and family psychiatrist at CHEO, was able to unravel the mystery of Jacob’s
behaviours for him and his loved ones. “Jacob is a youth who is neurodivergent,” he explains. “His brain
is wired differently, built differently, and it views the world and perceives the world in a different way
than so-called ‘neurotypical’ people – the rest of us.”
Dr. Cheng gave focus to Jacob’s strengths and passions, encouraging family, friends and caregivers to be
understanding of his challenges. It was a long road. Jacob took part in CHEO’s Steps to Success day
program, equipping him with tools and strategies to live and learn among others in the outside world.
He flourished there.
The skills he acquired at CHEO also helped Jacob gain standing as a valued volunteer and co-op student
at Little Ray’s Reptiles. It became a place where he could share his gifts, including a vast knowledge and
passion for the reptiles with others.
“Jacob didn’t ask to have a nervous system that’s different,” Dr. Cheng explains. “So, we must change
our environment to be a better fit for him. The most important thing we can do for any person is help
them meet their full potential.”
“He understood me,” Jacob explains about his relationship with Dr. Cheng. “He was able to read my
mind perfectly.”
“You know, we didn’t really think that he could come this far,” Jennifer says, her eyes shining. “Jacob is
who he is because of CHEO. He is his beautiful self today because of the care we received there.”
Jacob is now on a path forward. A path that includes preparing to go into the workforce and eventually
living independently. He’s moving toward that goal with the love and support of his family and the tools
provided by CHEO.
All funds raised through the 2022 RBC Race for the Kids will strengthen mental health care programs and
research at CHEO to support children and youth like Jacob. Whether it’s crisis intervention, or a longterm strategic approach, CHEO is there. Clinicians like Dr. Cheng rely on the generosity of RBC Race for
the Kids participants, donors, and sponsors to support their efforts in identifying the specific challenges
for each patient, like Jacob, and produce solutions to help them thrive. To support youth mental health at
CHEO, and youth like Jacob, register for the 2022 RBC Race for the Kids with your friends and family today.
The race will take place September 25, 2022, at Wesley Clover Park: rbcr4tkottawa.ca.
Sometimes we just need to be seen for who we are.
“Understanding one another is the key to that,” Jacob offers. Much of that understanding came from his
mental health care team and, specifically, Dr. Cheng, who sums it up beautifully:
“It’s like growing an orchid,” he begins with a smile. “It’s a delicate balance. It’s not easy, but it’s worth
it. If you can find that right combination of water and sunlight, then kids like Jacob are capable of
blooming spectacularly!”