Emily Bustamante Reveals Daughter Journey Has Rare Congenital Condition: 'She Experiences the World Differently'
Emily Bustamante Reveals Daughter Journey Has Rare Congenital Condition: 'She Experiences the World Differently'
Madison E. GoldbergFri, April 3, 2026 at 3:53 AM UTC
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Emily Bustamante and her daughter JourneyCredit: Emilyb/Instagram -
Emily Bustamante shared that her 5-year-old daughter Journey has been diagnosed with the "very rare" PHACE Syndrome in an Instagram post on Thursday, March 2
Bustamante also shared that Journey has autism and is nonverbal
Bustamante shares Journey with her ex, Fabolous
Emily Bustamante has shared that her daughter Journey has been diagnosed with PHACE Syndrome. The reality star and stylist also said that Journey has autism and is nonverbal.
Bustamante, 45, shared the update on Journey, 5, whom she shares with Fabolous, in an Instagram post on Thursday, April 2. "For a long time, I kept this part of my life private… publicly," she began the caption."Not because I was ashamed," Bustamante continued. "Not because I didn’t love her loudly.But because some Journeys feel sacred. My daughter Journey is autistic. She is nonverbal. She has sensory processing challenges. She was born with PHACE syndrome.. a very rare congenital condition."
Bustamante added that Journey "experiences the world differently.""She’s changed me in ways I still can’t fully put into words," Bustamante added. "There have been moments of fear. Moments of learning. Moments where I had to become stronger than I ever imagined."
Bustamante then noted that she chose to publicly open up about Journey's diagnosis on World Autism Day, in an effort to bring awareness to the community."Because visibility matters and so does she," Bustamante added.
Fabolous also chimed in to celebrate his daughter. "A Special Journey," he wrote in the comments.
The rapper's comment is a reference to A Special Journey, an organization founded by Bustamante to support "children with autism & complex diagnoses," according to its Instagram bio.
"This is just the beginning 🦋," Bustamante wrote.
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PHACE syndrome can impact a child’s brain, heart, arteries and eyes, according to the Cleveland Clinic. "A hallmark sign of PHACE syndrome is the presence of hemangiomas, which are noncancerous (benign) skin growths made up of blood vessels, usually on your child’s face and neck," per the organization.
Cleveland Clinic adds that the condition "can be life-threatening" if symptoms are severe, and that it can be managed with treatment.
PEOPLE has reached out to a rep for Bustamente for comment.
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Bustamante and Fabolous welcomed Journey on Oct. 10, 2020. "Life is a Journey 💞," wrote the Love & Hip Hop: New York alum at the time. "@journeyisabella_ 10.10.2020."
"My Princess," Fabolous, 48, wrote in a comment at the time, adding five heart-eye emojis.
The couple also shares sons Jonas, 10, and Johan, 17. Bustamante is also mom to daughter Taina Williams, 28, from a previous relationship.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
