My name is Jes, and I’m the proud mom of two beautiful children, Constantine and Willow. Our journey has been filled with both joy and unimaginable challenges, and I’m reaching out for help as we face one of the toughest chapters of our lives.

When Willow was just four months old, she began having seizures. That terrifying experience led to her diagnosis of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), a rare genetic disorder that causes non-cancerous tumors to form in various organs and leads to seizures, developmental delays, and other serious symptoms. That same month, I discovered a lump in my breast. At first, it was dismissed as a clogged duct, but as the pain grew worse, I pushed for answers. The lump was eventually biopsied and, to my shock, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 34. While I was undergoing surgeries and chemotherapy—refusing pain medication to stay present for my kids—Willow was enduring her own medical battles.

Willow’s journey has been incredibly hard. She’s endured countless hospital stays, procedures, and even a surgery. There have been moments when we feared we might lose her, but nothing was as terrifying as the night of October 12th, 2025. I woke to the sound of banging from Willow’s crib and found her in the midst of a severe seizure. That night changed everything—Willow was hospitalized for 35 days and then spent 47 days in rehab. The seizure on October 12th left Willow with brain damage, and she continued to have seizures despite medication and sedation. There were times when doctors considered putting her into a coma to reset her brain. Every minute was critical, and the fear was overwhelming.

By the grace of God, Willow is now home, but she faces a long road ahead. She needs to relearn how to walk, use her limbs, and regain the skills she lost. TSC requires lifelong management by a team of specialists, and treatments like mTOR inhibitors are essential to her care. I’ve had to leave multiple jobs to be Willow’s full-time nurse and mom, while still caring for her big brother. Financially, emotionally, and physically, this has taken a huge toll on our family. We recently learned we don’t qualify for SSI, making things even more difficult.

One of the most important ways we hope to help Willow is by getting her a specially trained seizure-alert service dog. These amazing dogs can detect seizures before they happen and provide life-saving support, but the cost for training and placement is significant. Having a service dog would not only give Willow greater safety and independence, but also bring our family much-needed peace of mind.

If you’re able to help—whether through a donation, sharing our story, or sending a prayer—we would be so grateful. Your kindness will help us cover the cost of a service dog for Willow, as well as her medical care, therapies, and daily needs. Thank you for reading and for bringing a little comfort to our family during this incredibly hard time.