On July 9th, 2025, Alyssa, Matt, and their eldest son Brooks, joyfully welcomed the newest addition to their family—a sweet little boy named Jamie, weighing in at 5 lbs 11 oz of pure cuteness. Alyssa and Matt were quickly able to bring Jamie home, soaking in all the newborn snuggles and embracing life as a family of four—a day they had been dreaming about for months.

Amid the joy and love surrounding Jamie, Alyssa and Matt received unexpected news: one of Jamie’s newborn screenings flagged a rare set of genetic conditions. This marked the beginning of a month filled with tests—followed by more tests—each one leading to more questions. Many of the doctors they encountered had never treated these conditions and were unsure of the next steps, often saying only, “Let’s wait and see.”

After weeks of uncertainty, the diagnosis came: Jamie has a condition called Zellweger Spectrum Disorder.

If you haven’t heard of Zellweger Syndrome, you’re not alone. It is an incredibly rare genetic condition, with only 1000 diagnosed cases worldwide. It’s caused by mutations in the genes that form peroxisomes—tiny structures in our cells that help break down toxins and fats—Zellweger impacts multiple organs, including the brain, liver, kidneys, and nervous system.

Jamie is currently the only known child in Idaho with this diagnosis. In fact, Alyssa and Matt have spent much of their early medical appointments simply educating their care team, many of whom had never encountered Zellweger before. Understanding what the condition is and what it could mean for Jamie’s future is something that remains uncertain as of today.

With this diagnosis comes not just heartbreak—it brings more tests, surgeries to help Jamie feel comfortable, hearing aids so he can hear his mom, dad, and brother’s voices, and ongoing doctors’ appointments to monitor his progression. Every step taken is to bring Jamie as much comfort as possible.

Through it all, we are in awe of Matt and Alyssa. Despite their tears and unimaginable grief, they continue to show up for both Brooks and Jamie with unwavering love and strength.

As if having a medically complex child isn’t challenging enough, navigating the healthcare system and daily life with a child who has extra needs brings its own set of burdens: copays, surgeries, missed work, full-time caregiving, specialized equipment, formula, gas, babysitters, in-home nursing—the list goes on. No matter how well you prepare for life’s rainy days, nothing prepares you for something this earth-shattering.

Recently, Alyssa told us that she and Matt had thought about taking Jamie to the ocean, that it was so important to them that he have experiences in the world, outside of the hospital walls. These are the kind of wishes parents in these situations have. How much of this world can I show my child when time is of the essence? This was the most profound realization—and was what moved us to create a GoFundMe on their behalf. It’s not only about covering the necessary medical expenses—it’s also about making memories and giving Matt, Alyssa, and Brooks the chance to fill Jamie’s days with as much life and love as possible, without the added burden of financial worry.

It’s unfathomable to watch your friends endure this kind of heartbreak. But it’s also been profoundly moving to witness the outpouring of love—from friends, family, and even strangers—asking how they can help. It’s a powerful reminder that we don’t walk through life alone.

So today, we ask on behalf of the VanOverbeke family: please support them in any way you can. Meal support is deeply appreciated—gift cards to DoorDash or Instacart are especially helpful. Donations to their GoFundMe will help cover medical costs and give them the freedom to provide Jamie with as many experiences as possible without the added burden of financial stress.

Above all, we ask for your thoughts and prayers—for Jamie, and for his family. The time we have with Jamie is uncertain, but what surrounds them is not. We thank you for joining us in wrapping them with love, peace, and strength as they navigate this unimaginable journey.

*If you're considering providing a home-cooked meal, your generosity means the world and is deeply appreciated. We kindly ask that you coordinate through a close friend or family member to ensure Alyssa and Matt aren’t burdened with organizing logistics during this time.

-If you have questions or don’t know how to support please reach out to:

Kate Solberg: 206-617-4746

Kelsey Berrier: 208-867-9022

For more information on peroxisome disorders, please visit: https://thegfpd.org/peroxisomal-disorders/