Hi, my name is Alyssa, and Jessica came into my life many (many) years ago. She has always been kinder than necessary and makes anyone she talks to feel heard and seen.

Knowing Jess over the years, I have watched her walk through more struggles than most. She has faced each with resilience, strength, so much grace, always putting her two children first. Seeing how fiercely Jess fights for and advocates for her children is so special.

B, who is now six, has always struggled with some developmental and behavioral concerns. Jessica has consulted with many doctors, counselors, therapists, naturopaths, and anyone who can offer answers and freedom for B.

Over the last few months, B has begun to require 24/7 focus, with little reprieve or rest. He has become more unpredictable and has displayed physical symptoms of neurological conditions. He was finally able to be seen for an MRI, where they were immediately told that there were abnormal findings. The findings indicated there might be abnormalities in B's thalamus, which plays a role in behavior and also lines up with some of the physical symptoms he has been dealing with. While this seems like a step in the right direction, this is only the tip of the iceberg. Many more doctor's appointments and specialists will need to be consulted.

A potential 'next step' was found in Boulder, which will help rule out PANS/PANDAS, which has been on the table as a possible condition B could be struggling with. This rare condition makes it increasingly difficult to find knowledgeable and skilled doctors, but it is encouraging that this specialist is within a few hours of the Springs. The facility in Boulder does not take Jess and the kids' insurance and requires $2,000 for the initial labs and $600/hour for treatment- all coming out of pocket.

Jess has had to miss so much work for appointments and to ensure B's safety. On top of that, her car is on its last leg. The reality is Jess will likely have to quit her job to be able to care for B 24/7 and homeschool him.

I am so blown away by Jess and how she refuses to let the world tell her that this is the life B, her daughter, and her family will have to live. She is relentless in her research and journey to find answers and in her commitment to showing B that he is not destined for misunderstood behavior or a stereotyped identity.

Jess never asks for help, but I believe her family could benefit from some love and assistance. The funds she receives will go directly towards B's medical bills, a tutor for her daughter, a new car, and lost wages.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for considering giving to this family. If you cannot give, please send prayers for strength and answers. We all believe that B is destined for something much bigger, especially his mom, who is fighting like hell to find a way for B to live a full life.