CURE SYNGAP1 State Ambassador, Montana and North Dakota
CURE SYNGAP1 State Ambassadors Lead
Past Board Member
Summer is a proud 10-year U.S. Coast Guard veteran who served in diverse operational roles
ranging from drug interdiction and illegal immigration efforts in the Caribbean to Support
Operations in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She concluded her military career as a
Recruiter in Seattle, Washington.
Now residing in Missoula, Montana—her husband Adam’s hometown—Summer is a dedicated
mother to three sons: AJ, Brody, and Ryker. Motivated by personal experience and community
need, she co-facilitated the Missoula Circle of Parents, a chapter of the National Special Needs
Networking Group, to support families navigating the challenges of raising children with special
needs.
Summer’s advocacy is deeply personal. In January 2016, her youngest son Ryker was diagnosed
with a SYNGAP1 genetic mutation—a discovery that followed years of seeking answers to his
global developmental delays. Their journey involved travel to numerous specialists, extensive
genetic testing, and continuous occupational, physical, and speech therapies. Ryker’s diagnosis
was officially confirmed at age 4.5 through whole exome sequencing (WES) conducted by
Shodair Children’s Genetics Hospital in Helena, Montana.
As a family, the Slaghts enjoy quality time at their summer home in Seeley Lake, Montana,
where they share a love of hunting, skiing, and the great outdoors.
Read Ryker’s Warrior Story here.
Email: summer@cureSYNGAP1.org