A Riley patient with a rare genetic disease is celebrated by students for his big heart and bigger personality.
By Maureen Gilmer, Riley Children’s Health senior writer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org
“Jonah, Jonah, Jonah!”
That was the chant filling the room at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis as Fishers High School students celebrated their prom last weekend.
The chants turned to cheers when Jonah Canada was announced as the 2026 prom king and accepted his crown and sash. Chaos ensued as the 18-year-old was swarmed by students eager to congratulate him.
Jonah, the son of David and Sarah Canada, is beloved in the Fishers community. He is beloved within Riley Children’s Health as well, where he has been a patient since shortly after he and his twin sister, Chloe, were born.
Diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Williams syndrome, which is linked to cardiovascular issues, developmental delays and a unique, highly social personality, Jonah has been a patient of Riley cardiologist Dr. Anne Farrell his entire life.
He’s had multiple heart surgeries, the first when he was four weeks old with Dr. John Brown, in addition to dozens of other procedures with Riley specialists and time spent on lifesaving ECMO treatment. (He is ECMO baby #629 and has the shirt to prove it.)
“Riley has been huge for him,” said Jonah’s dad, David. “It’s been amazing.”
But it’s the “highly social personality” part of his condition that makes Jonah so special.
“He is even more social than the typical Williams syndrome kid,” said his dad, recalling how Jonah would excuse himself in kindergarten to go to the restroom but then stop to poke his head into every classroom along the way just to say hi.
While he had plenty of teachers and students who loved him throughout elementary school, it was high school where he truly found a home, his father said.
“He has lived his best life through high school,” Canada said. “The students have really embraced him. It’s been phenomenal, and it’s hard to think that it’s coming to an end.”
A big part of the teen’s socialization needs have been met through Fisher’s Unified Sports program, which partners students with and without intellectual disabilities on varsity teams to promote inclusion and competition. Jonah has played in every sport he can.
In fact, on the same day as prom, he competed in the conference meet for Track and Field and earned a personal record in both shot put and the 100-meter dash, propelling his team to a win over Noblesville.
“He loves sports and anything to do with people,” Canada said. “He’s just been surrounded by a lot of people who have been really great.”
When Jonah’s parents received the news that one of their twins had a rare condition that would define his life medically and intellectually, they found themselves letting go of some dreams. It wasn’t until later that they realized those dreams weren’t actually big enough to capture the spirit of their son.
“It was terrifying at first,” Canada acknowledged. “There is a tendency to think that everything you envisioned for your child is not going to happen.”
The dreams might be different now, but no less special.
“Dr. Farrell told us from the get-go that Williams syndrome patients are some of the most endearing, loving people you will ever meet,” Canada said.
Jonah is the poster child for that assessment.
“He’s just an awesome, awesome kid.”
And now he is Fishers royalty, a feat he takes in stride.
“For him, it’s just another day,” Canada said. “He’s just out there having fun.”
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