My name is Ashley, and I am writing on behalf of my greatest friend in life, Katy, her husband Jaron, and their son Jak, who is just over 1 year old. On Friday the 3rd of January, I received a string of terrified texts from Katy, showing videos of Jakky boy having what she described as an absence seizure. We're extremely blessed to be in the same state as one of the greatest pediatric hospitals in the world, so Jaron drove Jak to Dallas Children's with Katy in the back closely monitoring Jak, who experienced several more episodes on the three hour drive to Dallas. Once Jak was admitted, he had several tests performed and their team determined that he had a mass in his brain and scheduled an MRI for a more thorough look. Several hours later, the pediatric neurologist informed Katy and Jaron that Jak's mass was a BENIGN tumor in the left cortex of his brain, but was bleeding and was causing Jak's neurological symptoms. They planned to keep our boy for a few days for observation, then would send him home with medication to manage his symptoms and consider surgery to remove the mass down the line. On the third day, just moments before Jak was supposed to check out, he had another episode with additional, yet unseen symptoms, and they ended up staying another day. It is now most likely that Jak will need brain surgery sooner rather than later. Although Jak's condition and necessary treatment is scary, and although the timeline is unclear, we know for sure that Jak has the opportunity for a happy and healthy life with proper treatment and recovery. Despite an extended hospital stay and impaired brain function, Jak cannot be convinced that anything is wrong and is in great spirits, smirking at all of the women who dare take a look at him.

This brings us to today, and the purpose of this GoFundMe. Katy and Jaron are currently ineligible for FMLA leave due to having taken FMLA leave to stay with Jak for longer than maternity and paternity leave allowed. For this reason, Jak's parents will have to take a significant amount of UNPAID leave to monitor Jak's symptoms and help him recover from impending brain surgery, which will be strenuous with two other young ones in their househld.

Katy and Jaron are facing an incredibly difficult road ahead, and my hope is that we can come together to support them during this time. If you’re able to help in any way, whether through a donation or by sharing this page, it would mean the world to their family. Every little bit makes a difference, and knowing they have a community behind them will give them the strength to focus on Jak and his recovery.

Thank you for taking the time to read Jak’s story and for keeping this sweet family in your thoughts and prayers. Your love and support truly mean everything!