Jalesa was born February 18, 2010 at 27 weeks gestation after her mom spent three weeks in the hospital with preeclampsia. She weighed 1.8 pounds and was 13.5 inches long. She cried like a kitten when she was born and was whisked away to the NICU soon after. At one day old, Jalesa was diagnosed with bronchial pulmonary dysplasia – lung disease in babies under age 1. At about 2 weeks, she was put on a ventilator due to an infection but was forced to move into the high pressure jet when the vent proved not to be strong enough for her. Doctors finally discovered bacteria called Psuedomonas that was causing the horrible infection. The doctors weren’t sure if Jalesa would survive the strong antibiotics it took to knock out the infection. Her mom stood firm and declared that Jalesa is a fighter. Two weeks later, she started improving. She was released from the NICU on oxygen, pulse ox, and an apnea monitor. The effects of prematurity are still with Miss Jalesa. She currently receives two breathing treatments a day and is on an assortment of medications to help with reflux, allergies, constipation, etc. At 19 months old, she was diagnosed with chronic lung disease and failure to thrive. Most recently, Jalesa was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder, which requires speech and occupational therapy at The Children’s Hospital. Jalesa attends therapy and continues to spread happiness with her beautiful smile.